Dame Valeries Adams-Price is expecting a baby with her husband Gabriel Price.
News of the 32-year-old’s pregnancy emerged last week when she posted an image of two shot puts accompanied by a third tiny put on social media.
“We have a shot ready for when you arrive in October little one. Love from your Mum and Dad to be!!! #BabyAdamsPrice #NewChallengeAhead#VeryExcited #FamiliesAreForever#ThenThereWere3″
In an exclusive interview with New Zealand Herald Adams said: “We couldn’t be happier,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be a mum. This is bigger for me than any gold medal”.
“Gabe and I kept it between us for a very long time. I kind of freaked out a little bit because when you find out you start reading loads of things – and your brain naturally registers all the bad stuff.
“For the first time I wasn’t able to control everything in my life and Gabe and I just felt like taking our time in letting people know was the right thing to do.
“But to finally tell people, that’s really fun. We can relax a bit and start enjoying it.”
A clue came earlier this month when Dame Valerie’ name was missing from Athletics New Zealand’s squad for August’s World Championships in London.
While missing a pinnacle event is disappointing, she said the timing of her pregnancy could not be better for her sporting career to continue.
And that includes going for gold at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia and a fifth Olympic campaign in Tokyo 2020 – where she could become the first New Zealand athlete to win gold at three different Olympic Games.
