Nearly a dozen mums bound for Beijing will spend Mothers' Day either away from their family or training for Olympic glory.
Among them are world champion hurdler Jana Rawlinson, who is training in America, and Athens gold-medallist diver Chantelle Newbery, who is competing in Canada.
Having juggled raising children with training commitments, these athletes are hoping their family sacrifices will pay off when the Games begin in less than three months.
Australian softball pitcher and 2004 silver medallist Tanya Harding, who will spend her Mother's Day playing in Japan, said the addition of motherhood to already gruelling demands of elite sport has been very tough.
"Playing sport and raising a child has been one of the most difficult things that I have had to juggle in my life,'' she said, referring to seven-year-old daughter, Renee.
"At times, you feel extreme amounts of guilt: guilt for dragging my daughter out to training or guilt because I am missing team practice. At times I think: 'Why am I doing this?' but I know all the commitment and sacrifices that I have made will be worthwhile come August.''
The effect of regular periods away from home takes its toll both on the athlete mums and their kids. source
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