{"id":188677,"date":"2023-11-15T01:30:47","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T01:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsneednews.com\/?p=188677"},"modified":"2023-11-15T01:30:47","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T01:30:47","slug":"i-won-olympic-gold-but-that-was-nowhere-near-as-hard-as-what-im-doing-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsneednews.com\/music\/i-won-olympic-gold-but-that-was-nowhere-near-as-hard-as-what-im-doing-now\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I won Olympic Gold but that was nowhere near as hard as what I’m doing now’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Olympic hockey champion Sam Quek says winning gold was child\u2019s play compared to being a parent to two under two.<\/p>\n

The 2016 Rio winner, 35, says being a mum to Molly, two, and Zaz, one, is her life\u2019s greatest achievement. Sam, who is married to property entrepreneur Tom Mairs, said: \u201cProfessionally winning gold is my proudest achievement.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut personally being a mum is the most extraordinary thing I\u2019ve done. Every day I get reminded how amazing they are but also how tough being a parent is.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBeing an athlete takes being a certain type of person but being a parent tests you in so many different ways. They are constantly learning something new every day and so are you. People tell you it becomes easier but it doesn\u2019t really, the challenges just change.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt is a completely different ball game to sport. I think I am good at listening and wanting to understand. But trying to ask a one year-old and a two-year-old what\u2019s wrong is a different challenge. It\u2019s hard but I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since her Olympic glory Sam has gone on to become one of the BBC\u2019s most popular sporting presenters.<\/p>\n

The fan favourite has enjoyed successful stints on I\u2019m A Celebrity and Celebrity Master Chef.<\/p>\n

And in 2021 become Question of Sports first female team captain in the quiz show\u2019s 51-year history.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cQuestion of Sport is my dream job. I\u2019m such a sporting geek.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI do miss competing internationally at hockey but I am back playing in the premier league each Saturday.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s certainly a lot harder than it was when I was a young, fresh 25-year-old.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that\u2019s part of the reason I wanted to go back was to go back to being just Sam again.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing a working mum to two young kids I am often knackered.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes I just want to sit on the sofa with a packet of crisps or pizza but if I am being held accountable by team mates I am more motivated to get out.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Sam revealed Molly and Zac are already showing promising signs of following in her footsteps.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cZac loves kicking a ball or whacking a ball with whatever he can find.<\/p>\n

\u201cMolly is a thrower. She loves throwing things. I\u2019m not sure if that\u2019s just an age thing or not but Molly is very competitive like her mum.<\/p>\n

\u201cI notice that already even at her age.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do want my kids to go into sport but it doesn\u2019t matter what level they are.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI don\u2019t think I will be that competitive mum on the sidelines but I do think sport teaches you so many invaluable life lessons.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sam is currently hosting National Lottery\u2019s award-winning podcast series Amazing Starts Here<\/p>\n

She added: \u201cI know first hand how important The National Lottery funding is. It allows you to become the best of the best. But it isn\u2019t just athletes who benefit. The National Lottery Funding is literally saving lives across the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think people realise just how vital it is to so many people. The variety of projects are endless.\u201d<\/p>\n