When veteran Aussie Olympic athlete Sinead Diver, 47, and teammates, Jess Stenson, 36, and Gen Gregson, 35, rock up to the start line of the women’s marathon on the final day at the Paris Olympics this Sunday, near the famous Avenue des Champs-Elysees will be their biggest fans – their adorable kids!
For Sinead, having her sons Dara, 11, and Eddie, 14, at her side is a memory that she will treasure for the rest of her life. “Knowing my boys will be there means the world to me – they’re at an age where they will remember this forever,” Sinead tells Woman’s Day from Paris.
“It’s an honour to represent Australia for a second time at the Olympics. My first experience in Tokyo was special, but I’m hoping that this one will top it, knowing my loved ones are with me every step of the way.”
Born in Ireland, she and husband Colin made the very easy decision to emigrate to Australia back in 2002. But what really makes this journey even more remarkable is the mum-of-two only took up the sport at age 33!
MEDAL HOPEFULS
“You could say my story is quite unique!” she laughs, explaining how she discovered running after Eddie was born. “I fell in love with running and found it very rewarding. It’s really amazing what you can achieve when you’re passionate and persistent – I hope that my journey inspires others to pursue their goals and dreams, regardless of timing.”
And as the family gets set for their mum’s big race this Sunday, where will they be cheering from along the 42km course? “All going well, they’re planning to make use of the Metro to get to different spots – I’m hoping to see them quite a few times en route!”
What does it mean to have two other mums as Olympic teammates supporting each other on race day? “We’re close friends, and I have so much respect and admiration for them both.
“Being part of a close-knit team makes a big difference on race day. Despite being competitors, the three of us are very supportive of one another. I’m proud and excited knowing that my boys will see their mum’s hard work pay off! It’s special to share these experiences as a family – I can’t wait to hear their cheers from the crowd!”
INCREDIBLE COMEBACK
It was the tragic fall that rocked the sporting world when Aussie track star Genevieve Gregson took a gut-wrenching tumble in the 3000m steeplechase final (right) at the Tokyo Olympic Games three years ago – leaving many wondering if it might end her extraordinary career.
But nothing was going to stop Genevieve from making her comeback. With husband Ryan, also her coach, backing her, they decided to use the downtime to start a family, welcoming their son Archer, two, back in 2022.
“This special little man became the drive behind my gruelling recovery. He made every step worth it, as without this injury he wouldn’t be here,” she tells Woman’s Day.
This will be the 35-year-old’s fourth, and perhaps final, Olympics. “Being named in the Olympic team with Jess and Sinead with my baby boy by my side makes me realise that my tragic injury in Tokyo was meant to be,” she says.
“It gave me a whole new journey in life with so much more meaning as a mum and also challenged me to work harder than ever. Now I get to line up alongside some of my idols while racing for our country, which is surreal!”
PINCH ME MOMENT
Just six months after giving birth to her second child, Jessica earned her spot alongside two of her closest mates. “It was a real ‘pinch me’ moment – Sinead and Gen I regard as friends and role models, so it is special to be working towards this together,” she shares from her altitude training camp in Switzerland days out from the race.
“It helps we can relate to each other as mums and offer each other support.”
The 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal champion is married to fellow Australian middle-distance runner Dylan and admits their two kids, son Billy, three, and daughter Ellie, 11 months, are a little young to properly understand why their mum is running around Paris!
“I don’t think Billy quite knows what to expect – he’s visualising a big sports day so he might be in for a shock!” she laughs. “They have little ‘Team Stenson’ supporter tops to wear – no doubt they’ll give me bursts of motivation, excitement and emotion when I run past.”
“I couldn’t do any of this without Dylan – he really is a real-life superdad. He’s the one who instilled the motivation and belief in me to chase my Olympic dream. Motherhood has taught me to be a more courageous athlete.”
