World Champion Ariana Kukors Smith Announces First Pregnancy

Photo Courtesy: Instagram/arianakukors

Olympian and world champion swimmer Ariana Kukors Smith has announced she is pregnant with a baby boy.

Kukors Smith, who was a 2012 Olympian and the 2009 World 200m medley champion, and her husband Matthew Smith made the announcement on social media on Thursday.

“This is 33 weeks pregnant… Willard in my arms ? , mask on (neck for the pic ?), baby BOY growing in my belly ? It has certainly been a powerful few weeks/months/years – a time for deep reflection, tremendous pain, soul searching and answer seeking, a time to listen, to learn, to slow down and soak in the things that are truly important. I am so grateful for the people in my life who have taught me so much and I know will be a powerful force in our family’s life – I am in awe of the ways in which they will help shape our baby boy as he grows. Soaking in every last second of this time with my incredible husband as we anxiously await our little mans arrival… due September 1!”

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A post shared by Ariana Smith (Kukors) (@arianakukors)

Kukors Smith was a finalist at the 2012 London Olympics in the 200 IM, finishing fifth. At the Rome 2009 World Championships dominated by shiny suits, she claimed gold over 200m medley in a World record of 2:06.15 on July 27, a day after taking the global standard down to 2:07.03 in the semi-final. They were two of 43 World records set in just eight days because of non-textile race apparel that was banned from January 1, 2010.

Following her career, Kukors Smith has continued to be an outspoken advocate for sexual abuse awareness, detailing her own experience with sexual abuse and seeking justice to try to encourage people to come forward and not suffer in silence. Kukors Smith said:

“As I begin the next chapter of my life, I hope that these last two years, along with the efforts of so many others, will help to provide athletes with a safer environment in which to compete.”

That next chapter of her life continues with the best of news, as Ariana Kukors Smith and Matthew Smith begin a family.

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