Wellington: Renowned canoe sprint champion Lisa Carrington, hailed as New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian following her remarkable performance at the Tokyo Games, is poised to extend her record-breaking medal haul at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
The 34-year-old athlete from Tauranga, who clinched three gold medals at Tokyo’s Sea Forest Waterway, has been named among New Zealand’s largest-ever Olympic contingent of women canoe sprinters for her fourth Games appearance, accompanied by five female teammates.
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In addition to her impressive tally of five Olympic golds and one bronze, Carrington was bestowed with a damehood in the 2022 New Year’s honors, reflecting the nation’s profound appreciation for her achievements. With such accolades, expectations soar for her performance in Paris, yet Carrington remains composed amidst the anticipation.
Addressing the pressure, Carrington expressed, “Sometimes I don’t think I notice the pressure until I am in a tight spot. It doesn’t help having won multiple medals before, but for me, it is making sure I don’t limit myself from what is possible.”
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Acknowledging the scrutiny from past successes, Carrington emphasized the positive aspect of increased support from spectators, which she finds empowering. While unable to defend her K1 200m gold due to its exclusion from the program, Carrington remains determined to defend her other titles and compete in the K4 500m event.
Looking ahead, Carrington remains focused on Paris, although she hasn’t ruled out a potential participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Reflecting on the privilege of competing in the Olympics, she remarked, “With sport, you never know if you might be injured one day or if you can get back to it. I know how finite it is, how special it is.”
