The sacrifices Olympian and mum Keesja Gofers has made for Paris 2024
Australian Olympian Keesja Gofers suffered a miscarriage before welcoming her daughter Teleri.
She was understandably anxious about training during her subsequent pregnancy, but the Olympics waits for no-one, and after seeking medical advice, she continued to do what she could.
"Water polo is a contact sport, however, I was cleared to play games and I know many woman do in these early stages," Gofers tells 9honey.
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Olympic water polo player Keesja Gofers with her daughter Teleri. Keesja Gofers/Supplied
"It is safe given the position of the foetus. For me, I was more comfortable not being involved in contact in any way for my entire pregnancy."
She did manage to continue training "right up to the day of Teleri's birth" on March 21, 2023 and shortly afterwards resumed training, with the Olympic Games Paris 2024 firmly in her sights.
"Water Polo Australia has also done everything they can to support my return," she says.
"But without a doubt, I could not have done this with the unrelenting support of my husband and my mum."
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Gofers managed to continue training "right up to the day of Teleri's birth" on March 21, 2023. Keesja Gofers/Supplied
She recalls struggling to fit in proper training sessions.
"I can remember days when T didn't want to sleep during the day. We'd get 45 minutes total and it was in a moving pram, and all I wanted was to take a nap too," she says.
"Water polo training, as an amateur sport, happens around work hours, so before I rejoined the national team I was doing 5am starts and training that finished at 9pm.
"When I got extremely tired, I had to ask for more help. In retrospect, I tried to do it all for much too long."
The first time she left her daughter was for the World Championships in Doha, where the Australian Stingers continued their journey to Paris.
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"I know, when I am not there, that my village of people is doing a great job looking after her." Keesja Gofers
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"It was an 18-day long tour, and prior to this I hadn't spent one night away for her, which was tough," she says.
Her husband Scott Nicholson moved in with his parents during that time, and attempts to FaceTime with her daughter weren't very successful.
"In retrospect, I tried to do it all for much too long."
Gofers, a Bellamy's Organic ambassador, is now in Paris with the Australian Stingers in the final stages of preparation ahead of the Olympic Games, which kick off on July 24.
While she misses her daughter, she also credits her as being her biggest motivator.
"Mum guilt is real. I can only speak to my own experience, but the way I see it is that by doing what I am doing, that my daughter will have a role model that she is proud of when she is old enough to understand what I have done," she says.
While she misses her daughter, Gofers also credits her as being her biggest motivator. Keesja Gofers
"It really does take a village to raise a child, so I know, when I am not there, that my village of people is doing a great job looking after her and letting her know how loved and cared for she is."
Hopes are high for the women's water polo team. The Stingers have a string of recent top five global finishes, including fifth at the Olympics in Tokyo and fourth at last year's World Championships.
As driven as Gofers is to "win a gold medal for my country", she says having her daughter as an "anchor to reality" has been "great."
"In elite sport, by its nature you have to be quite selfish in your pursuit," she explains.
"So having T has helped me have a bit of perspective there and help me put other people first, not only T, but seeing when my teammates are struggling a bit and how I might be able to help them rather than just focus on myself."
Gofers with the Australia Stingers ahead of their departure for Paris 2024. Keesja Gofers
She knows she isn't the only team member who is sacrificing in the quest for gold.
"Probably the biggest challenge beyond this, is in order for all the girls to really chase the dream of playing for Australia and being a team capable of winning an Olympic medal, we can't have full-time jobs, which means getting consistent income is near impossible," she says.
"For our family, that means on top of having a child, we have to pay our mortgage, babysitters, daycare, etc with my 'return to work' not providing me a full-time salary.
"This is almost the case in every single Olympic sport, especially for women!"
She hopes that upcoming Olympic Games highlight this juggle.
"I also believe it is my responsibility to be visible. Other athletes can see that they can start a family and continue to pursue their athletic goals, if they want to," she says.
"I am a strong believer in the expression, 'if you see it you can be it'.
"I am hopefully showing Teleri and other female athletes that sport and family don't have to be exclusive to each other, and that if you have a goal and a dream, you can make it happen."
The Red Nose Grief and Loss Support Line is available 24/7 for anyone affected by the loss of a pregnancy, stillbirth or death of a baby or child on 1300 308 307.
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