Olympic Games 2024: Elinor Barker celebrates medal with son Nico

Barker found out she was pregnant on the day she won Olympic silver in the women’s team pursuit in Tokyo.

This formed a cocktail of emotions as she also came to terms with being left out of the GB quartet for their final against Germany after racing in the heats.

At that time, Barker says, Paris was not on her radar – but she has made a remarkable return to the sport after pregnancy.

She competed for Wales at the 2022 Commonwealth Games when Nico was just five months old, then won two world titles in the team pursuit and the Madison in 2023.

“It is amazing,” said Barker.

“One of my team-mates refers to every race I go to and result I get as my bonus career because it’s one I did not expect to have.

“It’s unbelievably special and that time I had when I was pregnant to reflect, and everything that has happened to this squad in the last three years, has made me so aware of how special it is to be at an Olympics.

“I think I have appreciated it more than the other two which I did not think would be possible.”

Barker’s three medals means she has become the second Welsh woman to claim a hat-trick of Olympic podium positions after sailor Hannah Mills.

She could add to this when she competes in the Madison with Neah Evans on Friday.

“This gives me a lot of confidence,” said Barker.

“I am lucky to be partnering with Neah Evans. We are world champions in the event and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do there.”