In a thrilling display of power and precision, Lisa Carrington of New Zealand led her women’s kayak four crew to gold at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium on Thursday.
This victory marks Carrington’s sixth Olympic gold and seventh overall medal, solidifying her status as New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian.
The Kiwi crew delivered a flawless performance, finishing with a time of 1:32.20, narrowly edging out Germany by 0.62 seconds. Carrington, renowned as the “GOAT [Greatest of All Time] in the boat,” played a crucial role in the final stretch. Although the Germans briefly took the lead at the halfway point, Carrington surged ahead in the final 100 meters to secure the gold. “To be able to do it with these girls and the amount of work we have all put in is pretty special,” Carrington said, reflecting on the achievement.
Carrington’s triumph is a testament to her dedication and the high level of competition she faced. The race was intensely competitive, with Germany finishing in second place and Hungary taking third.
Earlier in the day, Liu Hao and Ji Bowen of China kickstarted the medal ceremonies by winning gold in the men’s canoe double 500m with a time of 1:39.48. The race for the remaining podium spots was exceptionally close. Italy claimed silver, narrowly beating Spain by just a tenth of a second. Hungary, initially listed as medallists, fell to sixth place as the competition unfolded.
Liu Hao, who had previously earned two silver medals in Tokyo, was thrilled with his Olympic gold. “It is a big issue to me and the country at large; it’s my way of making amends for my actions,” Liu said, expressing his satisfaction with the win.
Thursday’s events showcased both thrilling performances and the intense level of competition at the Paris 2024 Games, as athletes delivered memorable moments in their respective disciplines.
