“Simply unbeatable.”

That’s how commentators have described Dame Lisa Carrington’s recent deeds at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In the history of the Olympics, only seven athletes have won more medals than this kiwi.
The 35-year-old paddled her way to three Olympic gold medals, taking her overall tally to nine medals – eight golds and a bronze – in what has been a remarkable career.

Heading into Paris, some pundits wondered if there was going to be a new kayak queen with Aimee Fisher having beaten Carrington twice over the 500-metre distance and setting a new world record last year.

Carrington was having none of it as she claimed three golds, one in the K4 500m with team-mates Tara Vaughan, Olivia Brett and Alicia Hoskin, a second in the K2 500m as she and Hoskin powered to an impressive victory and then individually in the K1 500m where she out-muscled her opponents.

Speaking to Sky Sport after her K1 effort, Carrington said the success was nice, but she hadn’t forgotten where she was from.

“I’m still Lisa, that little girl from Ōhope,” she said. “It’s just so important for me to stay grounded and humble.”

In the K1 500m, Hungary’s Tamara Csipes took an early lead before Carrington reeled her in on her way to setting a new Olympic record of 1.47.36.

“I couldn’t really see her. Over the week I had really been keeping my eye on her and she has been paddling incredibly well with her crews in the K2 and K4. I always knew that she was going to be a massive competitor as well as Emma (Jorgensen) who got third and Aimee (Fisher).

“I just stuck to my own game plan and trusted my fitness, and that’s what I did.”
Carrington’s first Olympic gold came in London in 2012, where she powered her way to victory in the K1 200m distance.

Four years later in Rio de Janeiro, she picked up another two medals with a win in the K1 200m and a third placing in the K1 500m.

Covid-19 restrictions hit in 2020 forcing the Tokyo Olympics to be pushed back a year, but that just made Carrington and her teammates hungrier for success.
She picked up three gold medals in Tokyo, with dominant displays of paddling in the K1 200m and K1 500m, and the K2 500 with Caitlin Regal in the K2 500m.

She said an eagerness to succeed had seen her produce many world class performances in the past five years.

“Wanting to perform my best and strive for excellence has also given me a lot of growth over the last five years. It’s amazing.”

“I just turn up to do my best in the racing. I love paddling, I love the journey. I am incredibly privileged to come away with something like that.”

The former Whakatane High School pupil, who started her paddling career with the Whakatane Surf Life Saving Club is proud of her team.

“To have my team here, no matter what the results, at the end of the day we as a team have grown and done amazing things together.

“It’s more than the medals, it's the people behind us all and my teammates. It's just an amazing feeling and I feel so privileged to be in this position.”

Back in New Zealand, Carrington always represents the Eastern Bay of Plenty Canoe Racing Club at national events.

In preparation for Paris, she was away from home for four months and grateful to the support she received from back in New Zealand.

On the current Olympic medal tally she would have finished 29th overall. The Eastern Bay with five golds and a silver would have been 16th in the standings.