Jade Johnson declares motherhood ‘harder’ than competing in Olympics

Jade Johnson, 42, has retired from sports where she reigned as a champion of long jump despite being allergic to sand. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, the Olympian revealed she does not miss her discipline, and that being a mother has been a far more stressful experience than competing among the world’s top athletes. Jade retired from athletics in 2012, but not before fulfilling her lifelong dream.The long jumper told her mum when she was just eight years old that she wanted to compete in the Olympics and worked tirelessly to make it a reality. She recalled years of training from before the sun rose until after it set on ‘frosty tracks’, and ‘throwing my guts up’ from the exertion. However, the silver medalist is adamant that raising a son is far more difficult and exhausting. READ MORE: Joan Collins, 89, almost unrecognisable in transformation as she ditches signature hairdo Jade Johnson was a professional long jumper before retiring in 2012 (Image: GETTY) Jade competed for Team GB in Athens 2004 and Beijing in 2008 (Image: GETTY) Jade recently got married to musician Bobak Kianoush, pictured with their son Lucas (Image: GETTY) The doting mum tweeted that she went straight from the event to prepping for her son’s birthday (Image: TWITTER)She continued: ‘People don’t give it as much respect as it deserves because women have babies all the time they take it for granted but it’s so difficult. ‘Way harder than being an Olympic athlete, but it’s the proudest thing I’ve ever done and better than any medal I’ve ever won.’The retired athlete admitted her perfectionism does inflict a new level of anxiety for her as a mother trying to find the perfect balance between being ‘overly possessive’ and relaxed.She added: ‘I could just put him in front of the TV and let him do whatever but that’s not my style. DONT MISS: Ex-Strictly star Oti Mabuse celebrates 28GG bust and sensational figure in new lingerie adMichael Douglas, 78, looks frail as he continues to show off new hair at basketball game’She’s not one to keep quiet’ Oti Mabuse takes swipe at Katya Jones after Strictly ‘row”I’m very hands on, what he needs what his emotional state is and trying to make him the best human he could be.’Despite all of her efforts to be the best mum and raise the ‘best human’, her son Lucas is hilariously favouring a different sporting icon above her. Jade shared: ‘He’s become completely obsessed with football. ‘He said to me today: ‘Mummy who do you think I love more out of you and Aaron Ramsdale?’