Over the 10 days of action at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Team GB achieved four medals across six events in the canoe slalom and kayak cross programme, the biggest haul for the discipline at an Olympic Games.
After the final medals were awarded at the Vaires-sur-Marne nautical stadium we caught up with Performance Director Mark Ratcliffe for his reflections on a successful Olympic Games.
“The last 10 days of competition have been pretty intense. There is a long schedule this time, with something every day for everybody to get up for and keep their energy up every single day. Everybody gave it their all out there this Games.
“They’ve done amazing and then the performances that we’ve seen have been incredible.
“In the early days we had Kimberley and Adam, winning bronze and silver, which is fantastic off the back of Tokyo, where they had some disappointment there and the hard work for the last few years. To get those rewards in the end was fantastic.
“The middle part was quite hard with going back to heats again, with Mallory and Joe. Especially after the highs of the first few days. Sadly not to be in terms of the medals there but valiant efforts from both of them.
“Kayak Cross was another reset after six days of slalom, into the time trial. Joe had just finished racing and did incredibly well to get up and come out and smash the time-trial, but they all had to reset and focus on the next event, and all paddled incredibly well.
“To come out with two medals. Silver for Joe and a bronze for Kimberley, absolutely outstanding. So incredibly proud of them and what they've achieved.”
The Team behind the Team
“It’s an individual sport but the team is a massive part of the success. Everyone back home, the other athletes that train with them every day. Operations, coaches, staff, they’ve all put a huge shift in.
“Everyone out in Paris, in particular, has been amazing. They've contributed to the feel of the team. They've all done their individual roles to support the athletes and worked as a cohesive team and delivered every day. A huge thanks to them all. “
Racing in Paris 2024
“The amazing crowd out at Paris 2024 was a hard thing to simulate. The three Tokyo 2020 debutants didn’t have that three years ago. You get crowds at World Cups and World Championships, but it’s just another level.
“You could feel the energy from it. It was a positive crowd and we tried to use that to our advantage and embrace it. It was a great atmosphere and the athletes loved it.”
A Historic Games
“Three years ago we were part of history, one of the first to win a medal in the women's canoe in Tokyo, which we embraced through Mallory's inspirational medal there.
“This time kayak cross has come into the programme which again, we’ve embraced as a nation. To achieve four medals out of the six events, it's a historic moment for the team.
“It feels historic for us. We wanted a bit of our own history. We wanted to win as many medals as we could. We've done that.”
Kayak Cross
“The kayak cross was a great showcase for the sport. When you feel the energy of the crowd, watching it, living every battle, you can see why it’s so attractive,
“The athletes love competing in it and I think it’s going to be a great springboard for the future of the sport.
“You can see young kids out there, wanting to get involved, They’ll be inspired with what they've seen. Hopefully it’s going to grow and we’ll see more and more success in the future”
Feeling inspired and want to give kayak cross a try yourself?
Use our club finder tool to find your nearest club that offers canoe slalom or kayak cross.
You can also find upcoming kayak cross events you can watch or take part in here.