New Zealand’s canoe ace Lisa Carrington on embracing pressure: “I don’t limit myself from what is possible”
Canoe legend Lisa Carrington is eying more success at the Olympic Games, this time at Paris 2024.
The New Zealand native became her nation’s most decorated Olympian after Tokyo 2020, picking up three golds to bring her total medal tally to six - five of which are gold.
Named in the Kiwi canoe team headed to Paris this summer, Carrington is ready to take on the pressure that comes with her success.
“Sometimes I don’t think I notice pressure until I am in a tight spot,” she told the media on Wednesday (24 April).
“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.
“It’s obvious from the past performance there will be pressure - people are going to be watching, but it also brings more support, which is a really cool thing.”
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - APRIL 24: (L-R) Aimee Fisher, Lucy Matehaere, Alicia Hoskin, Lisa Carrington, Tara Vaughan and Olivia Brett pose during a Paris 2024 Canoe Sprint Women Selection Announcement at Lake Pupuke on April 24, 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images for NZOC) (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images for NZOC)
A sprint specialist, it is not lost on the 34-year-old how special competing at the Olympic Games is.
Carrington has represented New Zealand on three different occasions (2012, 2016, 2021), with Paris 2024 being the fourth, though she’s not yet ruling out a push for LA 2028 either.
“Every Olympics has been a privilege,” she continued.
“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.”
The veteran will be joined by five female teammates in Europe, making it the biggest Kiwi Olympic team of canoe sprinters to date.