Amber Rutter, who missed the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for Covid-19, has been named in Team GB’s shooting team for the Paris Olympics just two months after giving birth. The 26-year-old former world champion welcomed her first child, Tommy, on 25 April. She competed at Rio 2016 under her maiden name of Hill and is now getting ready for her second Olympics in Paris.
Rutter had considered quitting the sport after missing out on Tokyo due to the Covid-19 diagnosis, but now she is looking forward to competing in Paris. She expressed her excitement at making the team for Paris 2024, calling it an amazing feeling. The decision for her to participate in the Olympics had to wait until after the birth of her child, and her husband will be staying in the UK to take care of their newborn while she competes in France.
Bringing Tommy to Paris was considered, but Rutter decided that it would be best for her performance to have her husband and child stay behind. She felt that focusing on her son’s needs while competing would not be ideal for her performance in the skeet event. Rutter, a four-time European Championship gold medallist, is looking forward to celebrating with her family once she returns from the Olympics.
In addition to Rutter, Seonaid McIntosh and Michael Bargeron will compete in the mixed team air rifle event, while Matt Coward-Holley, Nathan Hales, and Lucy Hall will compete in the trap event. Team GB’s shooting team is shaping up for the Paris Olympics with high hopes for success.