My kids’ll have the Christmas I never had Festive fun was banned for Olympic idol
OLYMPIC champ Greg Rutherford wants to give his kids a magical Christmas – because he never had any growing up.
The London 2012 hero was raised by strict Jehovah’s Witness parents who did not celebrate the festive season.
Turkey, gifts, lights and even talking about December 25 were banned.
Greg, now 32, recalled: “I was brought up with no Christmas at all – it was just an ordinary day.
“All my school friends would be talking about having all this fun with their families and I wanted that too. One year I got a cup and put it to the wall to listen to the neighbours opening their presents.”
Long jump star Greg no longer observes the Jehovah’s Witness beliefs. And he is determined Christmas will be different for Milo, four, and one- year- old Rex, his children with partner Susie Verrill.
He said: “I want my children to have all the magic that I never had. This is the first year that Milo really gets it.”
Greg, who won his gold medal on Super Saturday alongside Mo Farah and Jess Ennis- Hill, backs Persil’s # dirtisgood campaign to get children out and active.
He said: “Getting muddy outdoors is my sons’ favourite thing and sadly I don’t think kids do enough of that nowadays.”