PARIS — New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympian Sophie Pascoe announced that she will not compete at the Paralympic Games in Paris, after becoming a mother.
The 31-year-old announced the birth of her first child earlier this month.
The elite swimmer, who has won 19 medals including 11 golds at four Paralympics, pulled out of this year’s Games in Paris, running from August 28 to September 8.
“Although I’ll miss the opportunity to represent New Zealand in Paris, this decision comes as a result of recently becoming a new mother and I am wholeheartedly embracing this new chapter in my life,” she said in a statement.
Pascoe said she plans to use her experience and knowledge to help the New Zealand team prepare, but is not quitting her sport.
“Representing New Zealand is an honour and privilege and I remain committed to contributing my experience and knowledge to the New Zealand team in their preparations.
“This is not an announcement of retirement from competitive swimming, rather I am looking ahead to potential competitions in 2025 and beyond,” she added according to AFP.
Having started her Paralympics career with three gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games, Pascoe won freestyle and individual medley golds in Tokyo three years ago.
She was made a Dame in 2022 for her services to swimming.
Paralympics New Zealand CEO Greg Warnecke expressed his support for Pascoe’s decision to put her family first this summer.
“Whilst not in Paris for the upcoming Summer Paralympic Games, the NZ Paralympic Team will still benefit knowing that they have Paralympian Dame Sophie Pascoe right behind them, and supporting our Paralympians on from New Zealand,” Warnecke said.
“It’s such an exciting time for Dame Sophie and her family, and we know she will be helping spread the news about the performances of our Paralympians at Paris 2024 with everyone.”
Two years ago, Pascoe was promoted to dame companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her swimming accomplishments.
She lost her left leg when she was just 2 years old in a lawnmower accident and made her international debut at age 13.
Pascoe currently holds eight world records.
Elsewhere, Para-sprinter Liam Malone has added gold to his Rio 2016 medal haul after a stunning performance in the Men’s 200m T44.
Not only did the golden Nelson sprinter’s time of 21.06sec secure him gold – he also blitzed the previous Paralympic record set by Oscar Pistorius.
Malone’s success follows a flurry of gold medals, with swimmers Cameron Leslie and Sophie Pascoe both helping shoot New Zealand up the medal standings with outstanding performances in the pool.
Malone’s gold came within 90 minutes of Pascoe and Leslie blitzing their opponents in finals.
Pascoe claimed her third gold of these Games and a Kiwi record ninth in total while Leslie made it a career hat-trick in his specialist medley event.
Pascoe surpasses the late Eve Rimmer, who won eight golds in a variety of track and field events from 1968 to 1980.
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