Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez has revealed that she was seven months pregnant while competing at the Paris Olympics, where she triumphed over a US opponent.

The 26-year-old athlete was eliminated in the last 16, after which she shared an emotional message on Instagram expressing her pride in competing during her final trimester.

"What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three! It was me, my competitor, and my yet-to-come baby," Hafez wrote.

"My baby and I faced numerous challenges, both physical and emotional. The rollercoaster of pregnancy is tough on its own, but balancing life and sports was incredibly strenuous, though entirely worth it.

"I'm writing this post to say that pride fills my being for securing my place in the Round of 16! I'm lucky to have shared the trust of my husband and that of my family to be able to come this far."

Hafez defeated American fencer Elizabeth Tartakovsky before being bested by Jeon Hayoung of South Korea.