Amber Rutter is buoyed by excitement and a fresh sense of perspective as she prepares to head to the Paris Olympics just three months after becoming a mum.
Rutter, who competed in the Rio Olympics in 2016 under her maiden name of Hill, missed out on the Tokyo Games due to a positive coronavirus test just two days before the opening ceremony.
The fall-out prompted Rutter to seriously consider her future in the sport, but the 26-year-old believes she is better-equipped than ever to claim a first Olympic medal – and ready to cope if she cannot.
“It feels great to qualify again but my main priority is being a mum,” Rutter, one of a six-strong British shooting team named for the Games on Friday, told the PA news agency.
“My perspective has completely changed on it all. My son Tommy has just started smiling and no matter what sort of day I’ve had, seeing his smile makes all the problems go away.
“Regardless of the outcome in Tokyo it doesn’t really matter, because ultimately I’m just going to be coming home to him and that’s really the prize.”
While Rutter admits certain issues surrounding her Tokyo experience still rankle, she acknowledged it prompted her to take a step away from the sport she had pursued obsessively since the age of eight.
Tipped for great things after becoming the youngest winner of a World Cup series at the age of just 15, the dark days post-Tokyo that prompted her to spend time with a sports psychologist and finally find time to get married to her long-term partner.
Three world medals in 2022, followed by the European gold that confirmed her quota place for Paris at an early stage, signalled she was on the right track and afforded her more time away from the range in the knowledge that her Olympic place had been effectively assured.
“I still feel very resentful about some things that occurred over Tokyo, but I also think that ultimately it’s helped things go in the right direction,” added Rutter.
“I don’t think I’d have won the quota place for Paris when I did, and I certainly wouldn’t have become pregnant when I did. The way it happened prompted me to look at my life and what I was prioritising, and something really good has come out of it.”
Her son will remain in England with his grandparents as Rutter embarks on a swift five-day visit to the French capital, a sign that she remains focused on winning the one major medal in her sport that eludes her.
“It’s important for me that the competition is as similar as possible for me, and much as I would love Tommy to be there with me, I need to be able to focus on myself and my performance,” added Rutter.
“I’ve decided to get in and out as quickly as possible before and after my event, and I’m only away from him for five days so it’s not too long. I want to go to the Olympics and win a gold medal – but my priority is being a mum and getting home to my baby.”
The GB shooting team for Paris also includes Seonaid McIntosh, the former world champion who has a chance to win Britain’s first medal of the Games in the mixed team air rifle alongside Michael Bargeron, plus trap trio Matt Coward-Holley, Nathan Hales and Lucy Hall.
A four-strong Paralympic team includes reigning Paralympic champion Matt Skelton, three-time Olympian Ryan Cockbill, Tim Jeffrey and pistol shooter Issy Bailey.