Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill admits she is taking a step-by-step approach to getting back to top form for Rio 2016, with next summer’s World Championships in Beijing her first major target.
Ennis-Hill recorded a British record points’ total of 6,955 on the way to claiming heptathlon gold at London 2012.
She missed the 2013 World Championships in Moscow due to injury and then sat out the entire 2014 season due to the birth of her son Reggie who arrived in July.
But the former world and European heptathlon champion returned to training last month and is already eyeing up further silverware come the Olympics in Rio in two years time.
The plan is to start competing next summer with the World Championships taking place in August, and the 28-year-old intends to juggle the commitments of being both a mother and an athlete.
"It's amazing being a mum," she said. "I'm loving every minute of it and it's great now I can get back on the track. It's definitely a busy time ahead, with lots to juggle.
"At the moment it's just about taking small steps but I'm hoping to compete again next summer. The World Championships in Beijing is a realistic aim and would be great.
"But the main aim is the Rio Olympics, that's where I want to be back at the top of my game.
"I'm hoping to get a really good qualifying score for the Rio Games and take it from there, but I'm not pushing things too soon.
"There are lots of things to be careful about. My body has been through so much so it's all about taking small steps and listening to my physio Alison Rose.
“It's about doing the rehab stuff and building back up as strong as I can. It's a bit like getting back on a bike again.
"But it would be incredible to be able to step away from my sport, have a baby, and then come back to win another Olympic gold medal - it would be a fairytale."
© Sportsbeat 2014