Dame Lisa Carrington accepts the ANOC Outstanding Sporting Career Award. Photo: Supplied
Dame Lisa Carrington has been awarded one of the Olympic movement's highest honours, receiving the Association of National Olympic Committee (ANOC) Outstanding Sporting Career Award.
The kayaker, the most decorated New Zealand Olympian with eight gold medals, received the award at a ceremony in Portugal.
The event was attended by more than 600 people from the Olympic Movement including International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, as well as representatives from the world's 206 National Olympic Committees.
The Olympic Movement consists of international sports federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and organising committees for each specific Olympic Games.
The award recognises Carrington's career to date and comes in another dominant year in which she claimed three gold medals at the Paris Olympic Games (K4, K2, K1).
Hungary's silver medallist Tamara Csipes, New Zealand's gold medallist Lisa Carrington and Denmark's bronze medallist Emma Aastrand Jorgensen celebrate on the podium. Photo: AFP/BERTRAND GUAY
The wins took her total Olympic medal haul to a staggering nine medals, eight gold and one bronze.
"I'm honoured to be recognised by ANOC and to receive this award," said Dame Lisa.
"From winning my first gold in London back in 2012, through to the success this year in Paris, it's been an opportunity for me to reflect on the journey to get to this point. I'm so lucky to do what I do - sport is such a privilege. Thank you to ANOC for allowing people like me, to live out their dreams."
It is the first time a New Zealander has won the award.
New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) chief executive Nicki Nicol said Carrington is a star.
"We are incredibly proud of Dame Lisa and it's been fantastic to be here in person to cheer her on as she won this award," said Nicol.
"Her contribution to New Zealand and New Zealand sport cannot be understated. She's incredibly dedicated and inspiring, and is without a doubt one of our greatest ever athletes.
"This award also recognises her global impact and the remarkable legacy she has built within the international sporting community. She embodies the spirit of dedication and excellence, and we're thrilled to see her recognised with this prestigious award."
The ANOC Awards were established by Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah and first held in Bangkok in 2014.
The complete list of ANOC 2024 award winners is:
Female Outstanding Career - Lisa Carrington
Male Outstanding Career - Ma Long
Best Male Athlete of Paris - Letsile Tebogo
Best Female Athlete of Paris - Julien Alfred
Best Male Team of Paris - Norway Handball (Award collected by Hans Lindberg)
Best Female Team of Paris - Italy Volleyball (Award collected by Carlota Cambi)
Best Male Team in Individual Sports - Japan Artistic Gymnastics (Award collected by Kaya Kazuma)
Best Female Team in Individual Sports - Team GB Track Cycling (Award collected by Katy Marchant, Sophie Capewell, and Emma Finucane)
Best Mixed Team - Austria's Lukas Mähr and Lara Vadlau
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