5-time Olympian Melanie Wright (née Schlanger) of Australia may have retired from competitive swimming this past April, but the 30-year-old is just getting started on another adventure. The Bond University medical student has announced she and husband, former elite swimmer Chris Wright, are expecting their first child.
“I think it’s a natural progression, retiring and starting a family,” Melanie Wright told Gold Coast Bulletin, as the multiple Olympic medalist plans on continuing her medical studies through her pregnancy and beyond.
“It was a really tough decision to walk away from a sport I’d dedicated my life to but we’re so ready to take this next step. We’d been talking about having a baby for the last couple of years but to be honest weren’t expecting to fall pregnant this soon (after retiring). But we’re very much ready for this special journey.”
The Wrights are expecting their first child in February, while Chris continues to coach swim squads at St. Hilda’s School in Southport and Melanie fights through pregnancy symptoms.
“It’s very safe to say I hate pregnancy,” she laughed. “I’ve had the flu three times and morning sickness for the first 14 weeks. “However Chris and I have discussed two kids is on the cards, so I will be doing this again some time in the future.”
Both Chris and Melanie fought for spots on the Aussie Olympic team in Rio, but fell short. Melanie’s career is highlighted by two relay Olympic gold medals (800 free relay in Beijing, 400 free relay in London), two Olympic silver medals (800 free relay in London, 400 medley relay in London) and one Olympic bronze medal (400 free relay in Beijing).
