Call awaited with bated breath
| Published date | 08 October 2021 |
| Publication title | Sports Tab |
The kayaking heroine of the Tokyo Games will make a call on her plans this month, and whether she will be around for another cycle and the 2024 Games in Paris.
It looms as the biggest decision of Carrington’s sporting career.
It was speculated before the Olympics that Carrington could retire, after more than a decade on the scene, though her long-time coach Gordon Walker said in June he would be surprised if she did, given her potential for growth and further achievements.
Carrington became New Zealand’s greatest Olympian in the Japanese capital, overcoming a seemingly impossible schedule to take gold in the K1 200m, K1 500m and K2 500m (with Caitlin Regal), increasing her overall tally to six medals (five gold and one bronze).
Carrington has been incomparable in the shorter sprint distance — triumphing in London, Rio and Tokyo — but that event won’t continue at Olympic level. It’s a blow but would also allow the 32-year-old to focus on the 500m distance, whether in solo, pair or quad boats.
As well as sports fans around the country, the power brokers at High Performance Sport New Zealand will be nervously waiting on Carrington’s call.
Since the 2012 Olympics Carrington has been involved in 29% of the 17 gold medals achieved by this country.
It’s also a pivotal time for Canoe Racing New Zealand; the sport has picked up seven Olympic medals in the past three decades, Carrington featuring in six, while her deeds have sparked a significant increase in interest and participation.
Carrington said her decision would take into account various factors.
‘‘It’s around ‘how I can continue? What’s left? What stones are left to turn?’ and just figuring out what that journey could look like and if it still has the same motivation that I have had. So really it’s about just finding that way forward.’’
The Ohope product is dedicated to continuous improvement, which has allowed her to stay ahead of the pack, and even increase her advantage, since 2012. It means if she decides to continue, it won’t be just ticking a box.
‘‘I don’t really want to go back and just do what I just did. I know that it requires more, so to really have fulfilment and to have integrity I would need to continue the path of pushing for more; the high expectation, the pressure, just knowing what it takes is a lot and being prepared to do that and figuring out how I can channel that will be something to consider.
‘‘Am I prepared to...
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