the athletes who are mothers heading to the games

Alyce Wood, 31, canoeist

My two-year-old daughter, Florence, has been a big part of my journey as an athlete. Last year I made my first World Championship team since giving birth in June 2022. Florence also travelled with me when I qualified for the Paris Olympics. She was on the sidelines cheering me on and appeared in a lot of the race footage as well.

It takes a village to help with your child, which is why I have my husband, Jordan, coming to Paris. He’s been to two Olympics as a paddler as well, so he knows the ins and outs of what’s required. In Paris, the kayak team is based outside the Olympic Village in our own closed-off facility with separate accommodation, but there is an area where the kids can come and visit us. We can also book parents rooms at the Olympic Village as well for some family time.

Having a two-year-old can help take the pressure off the competition and bring you back down to reality. When you become a mum your child becomes an extension of your life, and I really can’t remember my life without Florence now.

Coming into elite sport after pregnancy is difficult, as is trying to raise a child who is constantly changing, with new needs every day. But I’m in career-best form, paddling the fastest I have ever paddled, so that’s been amazing. We put so much pressure on ourselves as athletes to perform, and you can’t do the time every day. When I hop off the water and see she’s smiling at me, it reminds me she doesn’t care if I win or lose.

Genevieve Gregson, 34, marathon runner

My family will be staying in a home just outside the Olympic Village gates, so I can see my two-year-old son Archer every day. That’s super important for me. I’ve also booked nursery time and registered my husband, Ryan, and mum, Donna, to come in as guests each day with Archer.

If someone told me when I went to the 2012 London Olympics as a 22-year-old that I’d become just the sixth Australian woman to compete in four Olympic Games in a row – and with a baby in tow – I would not have believed it. But what matters most now is that Archer isn’t far away, and I’ll feel less isolated knowing I can see him. I handle competition pressure best when I treat each day like any other back at home in Brisbane. If I can get a kiss and cuddle from Archer the night before my race, that’s also helping me be the best I can be.

After I had my fall at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 [in the 3000 metres steeplechase final] and tore my Achilles tendon, my immediate response was to get the surgery done, do rehab, train and get back in the game. It was during rehab I fell pregnant with Archer.

I find competing more fun as a mother. I know what it’s like to compete at a high level, where you have a huge expectation of your body, but this time it’s different. Before Archer, running was my entire focus. But now I am kinder to myself. If plans to go for a run can’t happen because Archer kept me awake all night, I’m okay with that. Tiny decisions like this have enabled me to be more forgiving of my performances and made me a better athlete. It’s this attitude that got me back to Paris.

Katrina Gorry, 31, football player

My two-year-old daughter, Harper, is coming to the Paris Olympics – I can’t imagine her not being in the stands and having her on the sidelines with me. My fiancée Clara [Markstedt] is pregnant [Gorry and Markstedt have since had a baby boy] and we have plans to get his passport quickly when he arrives. All going well, they’ll be on the flight with me when we leave for the Games.

Harper made me fall back in love with football again, and having someone to make proud and play for has been good for me. Seeing her always smiling changed my perspective and having another baby on the way has given me another reason to show up. Showing our kids what mums are capable of and how you juggle football-life and mum-life matters.

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Motherhood has changed me as a player and a person. I have become more of a nurturer within the Matildas team, making sure the younger ones feel safe and have confidence in themselves.

It’s hard to juggle kids and sport, and there have been anxious times, but mostly I am excited about what lies ahead for me and Clara. My injury obstacles have made me appreciate all the moments with the national team and to go to Paris with two little ones is exciting, too. I know I will see my family and the kids when I can in those weeks, but mostly I’m happy to know they’ll be safe and happy.

Clara has been an incredible mother to Harper. In the last few weeks, while heavily pregnant, she has made sure I do all my sessions. Clara understands what I need as an athlete. She moved from Sweden to London to be with me. She believes in me and supports me, and we are loving our journey together.

The Olympic Games Paris 2024 will screen live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now (Nine is the owner of this masthead).