Dame Lisa Carrington Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand's most decorated Olympian, Dame Lisa Carrington, has been awarded the New Zealand Olympic Committee's Lonsdale Cup for her achievements in 2023.
It is the fourth time Dame Lisa has received the Cup which is awarded annually to the athlete or team that has made the most outstanding contribution to an Olympic or Commonwealth Sport.
2023 was an exceptional year for the sprint kayaker, who won three world championship titles, individually in the K1 200 and K1 500, as well as with teammates Alicia Hoskin, Tara Vaughan and Olivia Brett in the K4 500.
"Dame Lisa is truly a once in a generation athlete and we're thrilled to award her the Lonsdale Cup following another standout year in 2023," said NZOC Board Chair Diana Puketapu.
"We're extremely proud of her achievements and thank her for being a fantastic role model for young New Zealanders and especially young women."
Dame Lisa thanked the NZOC for the recognition.
"The Lonsdale Cup holds so much history and to have my name there alongside some of New Zealand's Olympic greats is pretty special," said Dame Lisa.
"It's great to look back on the success we had last year, both individually and in the K4 where we made history. I'd like to thank all my teammates, my coach, Gordy, and Canoe Racing New Zealand for helping me to get to where I am.
"This really is a shared award and the success I have is only possible because of the work done behind the scenes by this team and by the team I share the boat with."
At the Tokyo Olympic Games, Dame Lisa claimed a staggering three gold medals, taking her Olympic medal total to six, made up of five gold and one bronze.
The medal wins followed her success at previous Olympic Games. Dame Lisa made her Olympic debut at London 2012 where she claimed gold in the K1 200. Four years later she defended her gold medal and also won bronze in the K1 500.
The Lonsdale Cup was first awarded in 1961, with Sir Murray Halberg the inaugural recipient.
Past winners include Dame Valerie Adams, Sir John Walker, Barbara Kendall, Sir Peter Snell and Zoi Sadowski Synnott.
Carrington previously won the award in 2016, 2017 and 2021.