Paris Olympics: Kiwi diver Lizzie Roussel returns from baby hiatus to rekindle Olympic dream

Kiwi diver Lizzie Roussel admits she almost gave up on her Olympic journey, when she pulled out of the NZ team for Tokyo 2020.

"I qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games in the best physical and mental position I had been in my career, but I found out I was pregnant the year of the Games and withdrew to have my daughter, Athena."

Three years later, Athena Olympia Jean Roussel can cheer on her mother, as she rekindles her Olympic dream at Paris.

Roussel, 26, has been named to contest the women's three-metre springboard event, after finishing third at last year's Oceania championships and 14th at the world championships.

"I didn't know how my body would respond to pregnancy and childbirth, but my husband encouraged me to try again and so I began this journey," she said. "Making the team feels like a fairytale ending to an unexpected story.

"Having my daughter alongside me has only made me stronger and appreciate each moment more."

More to come

Kiwi diver Lizzie Roussel admits she almost gave up on her Olympic journey, when she pulled out of the NZ team for Tokyo 2020.

"I qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games in the best physical and mental position I had been in my career, but I found out I was pregnant the year of the Games and withdrew to have my daughter, Athena."

Three years later, Athena Olympia Jean Roussel can cheer on her mother, as she rekindles her Olympic dream at Paris.

Roussel, 26, has been named to contest the women's three-metre springboard event, after finishing third at last year's Oceania championships and 14th at the world championships.

"I didn't know how my body would respond to pregnancy and childbirth, but my husband encouraged me to try again and so I began this journey," she said. "Making the team feels like a fairytale ending to an unexpected story.

"Having my daughter alongside me has only made me stronger and appreciate each moment more."

More to come

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