When Olympian and TV host Sam Quek and her husband Tom Mairs started to plan their kids’ party, they knew they wanted to go big. The family had been through a tough time, losing two beloved relatives, a close friend, and their dog within months. Daughter Molly, three, was also hospitalised with a virus. But, like all athletes, gold medallist Sam, 35, has never been one to let life’s hurdles stop her in her tracks. So she decided it was time for her family to celebrate – and they went all out, throwing a “four-in-one” bash: joint christenings and birthday parties for Molly and brother Zac, two, complete with jungle theme, a zoo of model animals, ball pool slides, and a waterfall cake with five tiers. “They both love everything to do with the zoo and animals. I had a vision of what it would look like but it exceeded all my expectations,” says hockey champ and Question of Sport team captain Sam. “Molly and Zac absolutely loved it. We had about 150 there in the end – it was like a second wedding – but we decided to either go big or go home and it was brilliant.” Sam and husband Tom with their children Zac and Molly The siblings were born only 12 months and one week apart. As both were Covid babies, there was little opportunity for big get-togethers to mark their arrival. “We wanted to make memories for everyone; create something nobody would forget,” says property entrepreneur Tom, 38. “We had a really tough back end to last year. We lost Sam’s gran, we’d already lost her aunt and one of my close colleagues, and then we lost our dog too. “Work was difficult. Molly had been hospitalised for a couple of days with a virus. We realised both families hadn’t been together to celebrate anything happy for a while, so here was our chance. We wanted everyone to have a brilliant time and look back on it with joy.” Sam with her son Zac Both Zac and Molly were Covid babies Sam leaned into the jungle theme after her stint on 2016’s I’m A Celebrity, and supported local businesses buying the cake and dresses – with a designer using a button and bow from Sam's 2018 wedding gown on Molly’s dress. The party at a Merseyside hotel near their Wirral home was a high point in a busy few years for the former Olympian, who won a gold medal in hockey for Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympics. A regular on TV since, she’s fronted sports shows for Channel 5 and BT Sport, and competed in Celebrity MasterChef, anchored the
BBC ’s Tokyo Olympic coverage, and presented for BBC’s Morning Live show while juggling pregnancy and motherhood. Sam, who also last year co-hosted the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, admits becoming a mum has changed her irrevocably. “I am so much more in touch with my emotions,” she reveals. “When you’re an elite athlete you can’t let your emotions wander, they have to be contained. You have to be very results-focused. Daughter Molly cut the cake “Having the kids has definitely softened me up. I feel more empowered to go through my emotions and if I’m sad I will cry; it’s good to let the kids see that that’s OK.” Now she has the children, balancing everything is not easy. “Life is very, very busy and every day is different,” she says. “I love that but I used to feel very guilty about going to work. We could have nannies but I like being a hands-on mother.” As for making
Friends with other mums, Sam admits it’s a bit like dating. “You go out for coffee and it’s one on one and you either click or you don’t,” she reveals. “Or you’re getting on fine and then before you know it the other person is asking for
Liverpool FC tickets!” Sam Quek reacts after winning the gold medal match at the Olympic Hockey Centre in Rio ( Image: PA) Sam, who still plays hockey at club level as well as squash and
Football, would love it if either of her children showed a passion for sport. She says: “It has shaped me as the person I am. It teaches you how to problem solve and navigate relationships and how to both win and lose. So yes, we’ve had an eye out for any talent since they were first born. “I remember when Molly put a dummy in her mouth with her eyes closed and I thought, ‘Look at that hand-eye co-ordination!’ “She loves swimming and has good balance. She comes to watch me play hockey and was chasing a ball around with a hair brush saying, ‘Look at me, Mummy, I am playing hockey!’” Zac, meanwhile, is turning into a competent little driver, racing round their Merseyside kitchen and leaning into bends like a pro in a minicar. “There might be some
Formula One talent there!” laughs Tom. As for having more kids, Sam says: “We’ve not written it off, but this moment in time we are done. I’m a genetic twin – can you imagine going from two to four? “I want to be a successful mum and presenter. You can do both but it is harder when you’re a mum. I don’t want to miss those important moments with my kids.” Work-wise, she has plenty of plans in the pipeline – revealing conversations are ongoing about getting involved in this summer’s
Paris Olympics coverage. Her 15 years of top level sport have taught her a valuable life lesson: “Believe in yourself. Even now I sometimes lose sight of what I’ve done and achieved.” From the look of her beaming little family, what she’s achieved is a lot more than just her gold medal. ■ For the full interview and exclusive pictures don’t miss next week’s OK! out on April 9 Weekend wishlist: From Frankie Bridge's holiday fit to Boots beauty box and summer sandals