WOODBRIDGE, Conn. — Citing performance concerns related to professional runner Emma Bates’ decision to undergo what the company called a “non-essential medical procedure” known as giving birth, energy gel company UCAN announced it is dropping the athlete effective immediately.
Noting that pregnancy could keep her off her feet or, as UCAN referred to them, her “moneymakers,” for an extended period, the company assured Bates the decision was strictly business and nothing personal.
“We have nothing but the utmost respect for Emma,” said a UCAN spokesperson. “She’s a rockstar. However, our contract explicitly states that we agreed to sponsor her as an athlete—not a mother.”
The spokesperson continued:
“UCAN represents a commitment to not just energize, but to ignite a movement of empowered living. And while it can be rewarding in its own way, birthing a child is not exactly aligned with peak athletic performance. Supporting a runner in Bates’ condition would set an unfair precedent; it simply wouldn’t be fair to our more focused athletes.”
In apparent contradiction to its position, the company’s website notes that UCAN was originally developed for Jonah, a child with a rare glycogen storage disease that affected his energy levels, and that its proprietary carbohydrate, LIVSTEADY, helped save his life.
Over the past several years, Bates has consistently ranked among the top marathoners in the sport, highlighted by a fifth-place finish at the 2023 Boston Marathon, eighth at the 2022 New York City Marathon, and second at the 2021 Chicago Marathon. At Boise State, Bates took first in the women’s 10,000 meters in the 2014 NCAA track and field championships.
At press time, a pre-pregnancy photo of Bates remained on UCAN’s website, accompanying a blog post promoting the company’s products.
