Olympics: Baby news forces gold medallist Chloe Esposito out of Tokyo Games

Chloe Esposito will not defend her modern pentathlon gold title in Tokyo. The 28-year-old has discovered she is pregnant.

Olympic gold medalist Chloe Esposito with her fiance Matt Cooper. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Olympic champion Chloe Esposito said it took three pregnancy tests to truly convince herself and her husband Matt Cooper they were having a baby — and her Tokyo Games plans were over.

The modern pentathlon gold medallist had always intended to go to the 2020 Olympics, but then a tiny surprise came along busting up her sporting plans.

The 28-year-old’s due date is in August, during the Olympics, and just a few days after the modern pentathlon event.

“Look, the baby may even arrive when the pentathlon is on at the Tokyo Olympics which is really freaky,” Esposito said, laughing.

“The plan was to try and have a baby after Tokyo, and then go on to Paris in 2024, but it hasn’t turned out that way it has come a bit earlier than expected. But everything happens for a reason, and I can’t complain, I am so lucky to be able to have a child, I am over the moon.”

“I really wanted to go and defend my title but I have been given this amazing life inside of me. It’s amazing creating another life. I can’t be mad at that. It’s the universe telling me it is time to be a mum.”

After winning Olympic gold at the Rio Games, Esposito took 12 months off, then returned to international competition winning World Cup final in 2018 and becoming world No.1 in the sport.

Last year she endured hamstring injuries but was still confident she could defend her Olympic title in Tokyo.

Then, along came baby.

Esposito felt nervous about publicly announcing that she wouldn’t be competing in Tokyo but has been buoyed by the positive outpouring of emotion upon her pregnancy post on Instagram.

“Everyone has been so, so lovely,” she said. “It’s been so nice receiving lots of messages and comments on social media.”

Among those congratulating her yesterday were Modern Pentathlon Australia president and former Olympic chef de mission Kitty Chiller and Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates.

“While disappointed our Tokyo team will be missing one of its brightest stars, we are delighted with her news — and we wish her and husband Matt Cooper all the best for their new arrival,” Mr Coates said.

“Chloe has been a wonderful ambassador for her sport, Australia and the Olympic movement. I am sure we will see her back in Australian colours to recapture the title she won in Rio. “

Esposito says her Olympic dreams are definitely not over.

She has plans to train on through this pregnancy and has an eye on competing in Paris in 2024.

“I am still training and I am trying to keep some kind of fitness, back running and swimming while pregnant,” she said. “The physio said to keep doing that so the process of getting back after having a baby will be easier.”

For now she is just relieved to tell the world her best news yet.

“It’s been the hardest secret to keep, I am so glad it is out,” Esposito said. “I know motherhood is going to be hard but I know it is going to be good.”