Triathlon champion Spirig targets Rio after pregnancy

Olympic triathlon champion Nicola Spirig is expecting her first baby next May, and plans to return to defend her title at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

The 30-year-old Swiss athlete said at a news conference she is surprised to be pregnant so soon after the tension of competing at the London Games in August.

Spirig won the gold medal in a photo finish ahead of Lisa Norden of Sweden.

Spirig says she is unlikely to compete in many triathlons over the next two years, and aims to qualify for the 5,000 meters or marathon at the 2014 European Championships being held in Zurich.

Her partner, Reto Hug, a three-time Olympian and double world championship medalist in triathlon, announced his competitive retirement at the same news conference.