Eve Muirhead is coming out of retirement and returning to curling with one ambition in mind – making it back to the Olympic stage.
A gold medallist in Beijing in 2022 as the skip of the women’s team, Muirhead then called time on her curling career, serving as Chef de Mission for Team GB at Milano Cortina 26.
But after a few years away from the curling rink, Muirhead has decided to reverse her retirement decision in a bid to qualify for Alpes 2030 in the mixed doubles event alongside Bobby Lammie.
And while she admits that there is a little apprehension at putting herself in the spotlight once more, there was also some unfinished business in the event that she could not let rest.
She said: “When I decided to come out of retirement, I was scared but I was also really, really determined.
“The opportunity was there and it would have been silly not to take it. I feel the love for the sport is back. I just can't wait to get the shoes back on and push really hard for the ultimate goal, which is the Alpes 2030.
"My ultimate goal is to get back to the Olympic Games. I know it's going to be tough because there is such a great pool of players within British Curling.
"Four years ago, I didn't know if I would retire, and then I did. I thought it was the best decision I've ever made.
“But I now realise that once you get a bit fed up of something, you need to take a step to the side, put it to bed for a while and eventually the love will come back for it. That is what happened for me.”
Muirhead has kept very busy since initially walking away from curling, both in her role as Chef de Mission, but also competing in a host of different fitness events including HYROX and CrossFit.
As a result, she feels as fit as she has ever been, including when she was competing at the highest level.
And she believes that the three years she took away from the sport were just what she needed to rediscover that fire within her as she looks to add an Olympic gold in mixed doubles, having won the world title alongside Lammie four years ago after missing out on selection in that event in Beijing.
She added: “I most definitely needed a break and I'm very glad that I did.
“I think stepping away and being the Chef de Mission gave me a lot of different challenges, a lot of tough situations, you've got to make some big decisions.
“It's probably made me more grown up. I've learned a lot from what I've done in those three years. If I hadn't taken that time off, I wouldn't have been able to come back with the extra fire to do well again.
“Having done the full circle, being an athlete for several years, then Chef de Mission and coming back into being an athlete, it's taught me a lot and probably given me a different perspective on being an athlete and a curler. I do believe I'm probably the fittest I have been.
“I feel like I've got a bit of unfinished business in mixed doubles. In the team game, I feel like I've achieved what I want to achieve, the dream, the Olympic gold medal.
“In mixed doubles, I haven't achieved that yet. Myself and Bobby Lammie will be the pairing. We had a great season when we won the World Championships on the back of Beijing. Of course, we were disappointed when we didn't get selected for the Beijing Winter Olympics but to come back and win the World Championships shows that we have a lot of great chemistry and potential as a team.”
As well as proving a point to herself, Muirhead is also keen to blaze a trail.
With the likes of Serena Williams and Lindsey Vonn having come back to their sports after extended absences, following suit in curling is an important aspect of the 36-year-old’s decision to return.
And she is not the only member of the gold medal-winning rink from Beijing who has made that decision. Vicky Drummond (née Wright) won gold alongside Muirhead before also retiring from the sport, with her daughter Sophie born in 2024.
After working on Milano Cortina on the broadcast side, Drummond has made the decision to return to competitive curling, and Muirhead is adamant that it is possible to take time away from the ice and still be competitive after returning.
Muirhead added: “I want to show that it is possible to take a break, a step to the side, and come back.
“Especially women, people can step away, they can have families, they can relocate and then there is the option to have another job as well and then come back.
“People who know me, know that I never do anything half-hearted. It is something I took a lot of time to think about and I can't wait to get back and get competing again.
“There have been a few female athletes who have taken a break and probably surprised a few people and come back. Serena Williams is one, Lindsey Vonn is another. I am not putting myself in the same bracket as them but I think it's showing that it is possible.
“Sometimes it makes you come back a better person, a better athlete, you are more driven.
“I'm very thankful to British Curling for opening the door and allowing me to do that and come back.
“I'm nervous about going back, I think it's just going to take a bit of time to get back in the groove and in that routine again.
“I'm excited to get back into that and see what is ahead and around the corner.”