Golden girl Victoria: ‘I may freeze my eggs’
DESPITE being the most successful female British cyclist of all time, Victoria Pendleton has discovered that dedicating her life to her career could come at a cost.
For the Olympian-turned-amateur jockey, who won gold and silver medals at the london 2012 Games, admits she would now consider freezing her eggs in order to prioritise work over starting a family.
‘I do see myself having children at some point, I suppose, but I keep getting involved with stuff that I enjoy doing,’ says Victoria, 35, who married Australian sports scientist Scott Gardner in 2013. ‘Scott and I are both so ambitious with what we want to do with our lives at the moment, that kids aren’t in the picture now.
‘I haven’t thought too much about freezing my eggs before, but who knows?
‘It’s quite a good idea and I wouldn’t rule it out.’ Freezing eggs is an increasingly popular option among British women in their late-30s who wish to put off starting a family.
But the Bedfordshire-born athlete also believes time — and genes — are on her side. ‘ My sister’s having her second child right now at 40 and she’s never looked healthier,’ she adds.
‘So I guess as long as you’re fit and healthy you can afford to wait a bit.’
Victoria, who was speaking at a private screening of Bond movie Spectre, hosted by Belvedere and Aston Martin, retired from cycling in 2012. She met Scott, 40, during the Beijing 2008 Olympics, when he was a data analyst for the British Cycling coaching team.
They started dating in the same year, but controversy ensued, as it was frowned upon for two members of the team to be romantically involved with each other.
Scott subsequently stepped down from his post and is now the head coach for Britain’s canoe sprint team.