New mother Genevieve Gregson has sights firmly on Paris 2024

A Brisbane Olympian says becoming a mother is not going to stop her lofty ambition of competing at a fourth Games.

Genevieve Gregson says becoming a mother is not going to stop her lofty ambition of competing at her fourth Olympic Games, it’s only fuelled her to return to the top.

The Queensland runner and steeplechase Australian record holder, 32, gave birth to son Archer just over two weeks ago on June 16 at the Mater Mothers in Brisbane after a 12-hour labour.

After spending two days in hospital, Gregson (nee LaCaze), alongside husband and fellow athlete Ryan Gregson, returned to their home in Brisbane’s Morningside and are settling into family life.

While Gregson soaks in every moment of the newborn bub, her sights are firmly on the 2024 Olympics in Paris, as she revealed her plans to step away from the steeplechase event to focus on the marathon.

“I really want to be a marathon runner,” she said.

“I think I can be a really good road runner and long-distance runner and work my way up to the marathon.

Genevieve and Ryan Gregson with baby Archer. Picture: Annette Dew

“I think 2024 is enough time to build back slowly and not do anything too crazy and try qualify for the marathon.”

Gregson said she hoped she would be cleared to return to light training six weeks after the birth and be back competitive racing by the end of the year.

“My body has bounced back so well,” she said. “All the cross-training and work I did (during pregnancy), prenatal pilates and working with my physio, I can now see my body has really handled the adaptations really well and it’s coming back to the norm now. I feel I’m back to where I was before. I’ll take it step by step ... we (her medical team and physio) will test everything and see how my body is holding up.

“I’ll gradually cross train and get on the bike and elliptical and get some fitness back. By November and December I would like to be entering into road races and getting into that competitive side again. I might not be that fit and winning but I would like to be participating.”

It’s far from the experience of most new mums but it’s hardly surprising coming from an elite athlete who is as tough as they come with unfinished business.

Genevieve Gregson is injured during the women's 3000m steeplechase final at last year’s Tokyo Olympics.

Gregson suffered a brutal fall at the Tokyo Olympics last year and ruptured her achilles on the last lap of the steeplechase final – a race she had pinned to be the best of her career.

It could have been her downfall but instead came the silver lining with the couple deciding to start a family.

There was never any doubt she could be a mum and athlete at the same time, and now Gregson is championing a new era for women in sport.

“I hope to show and prove that I am over 30, I am a new mother, I am still planning on having a professional athletic career and in no way do I think I’m going to retire and hang up my shoes because I’m a mum now,” she said.

“Our best marathon runners right now are over 40 and have kids.

“I’m still an elite athlete with huge goals and performances that remain untouched and I can be a world-class athlete as a mum.”