Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis is pregnant with her first child, which will rule her out of the Commonwealth Games in July and August.
“My plans for 2014 have been completely turned upside down, but having had a couple of weeks to think about things from a career point of view I am 100 percent set on returning to full-time athletics once our baby is born and go for a second gold medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016,” Ennis, 27 and married in May, said in a statement. “That challenge really excites me.”
Ennis’ absence from arguably the biggest track and field event of 2014 will be notable, especially given the Commonwealth Games are in Glasgow, Scotland.
The other top British track and field athlete, Olympic champion distance runner Mo Farah, is also in major doubt to compete at the Commonwealth Games. Usain Bolt has not yet committed, either.
The Commonwealth Games are a multi-sport competition held every four years, almost like a mini Summer Olympics. It includes the Commonwealth of Nations — highlighted by England, Jamaica, Canada, Australia and Kenya.
The U.S. does not compete in the Games, which are held in non-Olympic and non-outdoor World Championship years.
