A British multisport champion is being praised on social media for normalizing women's periods.
During the PTO European Open triathlon in Ibiza, Spain, Emma Pallant-Browne was photographed running in a pink and blue swimsuit, with a small blood stain visible.
Thirty-four-year-old Pallant-Browne's photo, initially posted by the Professional Triathletes Organization on Instagram, went viral earlier this month. It attracted attention from a user suggesting it should have been "cropped," to which she boldly replied, "Thanks for caring but definitely something I'm not shy to talk about because it's the reality of females in sport."
The champion triathlete was open about the challenges she faces during the race days, which last for over three hours, especially when they coincide with her heaviest period day. She further stated, "So just as someone might get gut issues in a race, I have to suck it up and give what I have and not be afraid to talk to women who have the same problem."
She later shared the now-viral photo on her social media platform, alongside a candid caption expressing her gratitude to her peers for their support. The athlete, who secured fourth place in the Open, said, "Humbled by the amount of messages I’ve had from both men and women about the unglamorous reality of racing on your period. This is a true female sport and the more barriers we can break through the better."
The triathlete explained her choice of wearing a swimsuit for this hot weather race, as she often "overheats and passes out in hot races," and menstruation makes her body temperature even higher. She rejected the idea of editing the photo, stating that "the idea to edit [the picture] means there is something wrong with it."
She encouraged her followers to cherish such photos, reminding them of their strength in overcoming tough challenges. The post generated a wave of support from fellow athletes and fans alike. One user wrote, "So powerful! Every young girl and boy should see this image. An athlete racing no matter what, that’s the point of this photo."
Pallant-Browne concluded her post by reflecting on her own journey with her menstrual cycle, linking it back to overcoming eating disorders in her youth as an endurance runner.
She referred to her period as "beautiful," and encouraged others to remember their performance on tough days. "So if you have a photo like this, save it, cherish it, remember how you performed on a tough day because one day you might just be able to help someone else with it," she added.
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