Swimming champion Emily Seebohm is going through a hard time – but those closest to her say the Olympic gold medallist is getting through it with the help of the people who love her most.
The Brisbane-born backstroke star has been dropping hints on social media that things have been tough lately, and on TikTok, she’s been liking comments from fans who called her ex, former Married At First Sight contestant Ryan Gallagher – the father of her young son Sampson – a “red flag.”
Those close to Emily say the split from Ryan has been messy. “Emily is so good at putting on a brave face – the split with little Sampson’s dad Ryan Gallagher was, according to friends, pretty ugly,” an insider revealed to Woman’s Day. “By all accounts, it has not ended well, and sadly like so many relationships, it ended up bitter for both sides.”
It is not the first time the 32-year-old has had to deal with a painful break-up in the spotlight. “She’s had her heart broken a few times – when she split with fellow swimmer and her great love, golden boy Mitch Larkin, back in 2018 after a two-year relationship, that too didn’t end well,” the source added.
There were worries from the start about her relationship with Ryan. “From the get-go there were many doubters when she first met Ryan, genuinely concerned that reality TV regular Ryan might not be the best fit for Emily, who at the heart of it just wants to love and be loved,” the insider said.
“One former contestant from The Challenge Australia said at the time of filming back in 2022 that there was a lot of quiet chatter behind the scenes from other contestants and crew, with many wondering if their relationship would last.”
Then along came little Sampson, and for Emily, he became her everything. “She is an amazing mum, and nothing else matters except this special little man,” the source said.
Life after elite sport has been a huge adjustment for Emily. “Like many retired sportspeople, she has struggled to move on after such an amazing career in the pool. It’s hard to go from winning Olympic gold to suddenly being a single mum – but she’s embraced it with the same passion she showed during her swimming career.”
Through it all, Emily has leaned on the people around her. “One thing Em has always managed to do is surround herself with a strong and supportive network,” the insider said. “She has her former Australian swimming teammates, and many of the current team – like Kaylee McKeown – who continue to have a hand on her back through the good times and the bad.”
And those who know her best have no doubt she will get through this. “Whatever is going on, one thing is certain – she has plenty of support from friends and family who are making sure she and Sampson are always going to be okay. She is one strong woman and has proven time and time again she can push through just about anything.”
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