A Jamaican 400m stalwart on the track, a resilient cancer survivor off it, Novlene Williams-Mills is counting her blessings, as she gets ready for her latest challenge – a set of twins.
Williams-Mills announced her pregnancy on social media recently, and is excitedly anticipating this new chapter in her life; a life, which up to a few years ago, had a totally different outlook.
“It’s really a blessing, because I was always worried about having children with the high risk associated with my cancer situation, but God has brought me this far for a purpose and I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life,” an introspective Williams-Mills told The Gleaner.
June 2012 was a dark time in the life of the four-time Olympic medallist, who was diagnosed with breast cancer a few weeks before the London Olympic Games. Despite the life-changing development, the then 30-year-old went on to bravely compete at the London Games and helped her country to a silver medal in the 4x400m relays.
While her fight continued, Williams-Mills, who underwent four surgeries including a mastectomy, would add the 2015 World Championships 4x400m relay gold medal and the 2016 Rio Olympics 4x400m silver to her senior international championships medal tally, which stands at 12 medals, not counting the three she won at the Commonwealth Games.
She retired from competitive athletics in 2016 with some degree of trepidation about having children.
However, Williams-Mills and her husband Jameel are both excitedly looking forward to the safe delivery of their babies and consider their twins, as another moment of blessing in a testing few years.
“It has really been a blessing for me and my husband with all that we have been through. When I found out that I was pregnant I said ‘OK, we have an addition to the family,’ but when the doctor told me there were two heartbeats, I said ‘excuse me, did you just say two,’?” Williams-Mills chuckled.
Right away Williams-Mills started to think of getting two of everything, but she would not have it any other way.
“2016 was my last Olympics and I was always preparing myself mentally to walk away from the sport. Right now I hope to have a healthy delivery and see my kids grow and hopefully one day I can show them videos of my accomplishment so that they can see what their mom has done for Jamaica,” she shared.
Williams-Mills says the most memorable moment in her track career was the golden run by Jamaica’s 4x400m team at the World Championships in Beijing, which saw her producing a strong anchor leg run to outpower American Francena McCorory to the finish line.
“That moment will always stand out in my memory because of the joy that it brought to us athletes and the nation. I have won a lot of medals but that one will always be special,” added Williams-Mills, who could not help but offer her thoughts on the future of Jamaica’s female quarter-milers.
“We have some wonderful ladies and very exciting talent that is ready to deliver. Athletes such as Shericka Jackson and Chris-Ann Gordon are among a great bunch and we are looking good for the future,” said Williams-Mills, who herself is looking to get involved in personal training in the future.