Discus thrower and captain of the US women's track and field team, Aretha Thurmond is a proud Olympic mom.

Discus thrower  Aretha Thurmond pose for a photo, taken on August 20, 2008. [China Daily]

Thurmond gave birth to her son, Devon, in June 2007 before returning to Team USA as a three-time Olympian. Being a mom and an Olympic athlete are equally honorable but demanding jobs. Thurmond took on the challenge and has succeeded in both roles.

"At first I was not too sure about coming back, being a mom and an athlete at the same time. But I actually love it. Sometime now I wonder how come I didn't start earlier…I really, really love being a mom."

Thurmond was voted as the team captain by around 120 fellow teammates, which was a recognition of her dual achievements.

"It's truly an honor. I think it is a good reflection of how my team feels about me as an athlete but also as a person."

Now away from her 14-month-old son, Thurmond takes care of her teammates with motherly love.

"I do it instinctively. Being a mom, you have this mother instinct. You want to look out for everyone, ‘You have your shoes, you got your kit, you got your number, are you doing ok?' It just becomes quite natural."

Meanwhile, she has accomplished her goal of making the final and threw her personal best at the competition.

Dearly missing her son at home, she took comfort in the homey and friendly ambiance of the Olympic village,

"It is really a comfortable village and a nice home away from home. It's been hard for me to be away from my son for so long. So it has been nice to have some home comforts in the village. That helps keep my mind off missing my baby."

Thurmond is also thankful for an enjoyable competition in Beijing, as she has found herself warmly cheered by a supportive home crowd at the Bird's Nest.

"It was an amazing, amazing crowd. During the last competition, we had two Chinese athletes in the final. They cheered just as hard for us as they did for the Chinese athletes. That to me was very welcoming," Thurmond said.

For Thurmond, it was a fulfilling moment for her at the Bird's Nest when, after her throws, she heard applauses and waves of "Wow" and "Yeah" from thousands of Chinese spectators.

"You really feel special. It is a showing of appreciation of the hard work that you have put into your season."