"Tokyo I definitely expected that to be the end of my career," Twichell, who finished seventh in Tokyo, told Reuters.
"It was a tough lead up to Tokyo having the Games delayed a year by COVID and I just felt like I was kind of physically and mentally done and was excited to start a family.
Twichell arrived in Santiago hoping for gold but unsure of her form after modest training times and going up against a strong field.
"That is what I was definitely hoping for but I didn't know to be honest," said Twichell.
Part of the motivation for continuing on to Paris for is that it is something Twichell can share with her son and family.
Persons:
Ashley Twichell, Luisa Gonzalez, Twichell, Lochlan, Brazil's, Ana Marcela Cunha, COVID, Cunha, I'm, Twichell's, Steve Keating, Christian Radnedge
Organizations:
Rights, Pan American, Tokyo, U.S, Paris Olympic, Sunday, Brazil's Tokyo, Games, Reuters, Pan Am, Thomson
Locations:
Morros, Santiago, Chile, United States, Paris, Tokyo, Guadalajara, South Africa, Italy