Off The Podium - An Olympics Podcast · Ben Waterworth, Colin Hilding & Jarrod Loobeek

Episode 522 - Lisa Carrington Interview

·1 hr 9 min·5 clips

Lisa Carrington describes unwinding from Olympic pressure and finding more to life than just training.

This episode features host Ben Waterworth interviewing Dame Lisa Carrington, New Zealand's most decorated Olympian with eight gold medals and one bronze in kayak sprint. Carrington discusses her career longevity and her aim to compete at a fifth Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028. She explains that a gold medal doesn't solely define the growth and learning she experiences in her sport. Carrington details her decision to continue competing, announced via an Instagram post in January 2025 after the Paris Olympics. She describes the "cooling down" period after each Games where she reassesses her motivations and identity beyond being an athlete. The kayaker initially aimed to be a netballer, transitioning to kayaking through surf life-saving as a child. A coach told her at age 18 that kayaking could be an Olympic pathway, which she hadn't seriously considered before. She reflects on the increased pressure and attention after each successful Olympics, contrasting her experience as a 23-year-old after London 2012 with her current status. Carrington intentionally did not race internationally in 2025 but was called into the World Championships as a replacement for an injured teammate. She discusses the challenge of unwinding from the intense performance mindset she had leading into Paris. The athlete notes that while her past achievements could free her from expectation, she still feels a responsibility to perform with integrity in Los Angeles. Carrington became a global brand ambassador for Zespri kiwi fruit, a natural partnership given her New Zealand identity and the fruit's local significance. She recalls specific Olympic memories, like receiving her uniform bag in the London 2012 satellite village and the novelty of free McDonald's. The removal of the women's K1 200m event from the Olympic program, an event she dominated, was a point of frustration for her and New Zealand's kayaking community. She sees a silver lining as it allowed more focus on team boats, contributing to the K4 gold in Paris. The conversation is casual and conversational, with a respectful and admiring tone from the host. Waterworth incorporates light humor, like joking about the perks of a kiwi fruit sponsorship. This episode would appeal to fans of Olympic sports, athletes interested in career longevity, and listeners curious about New Zealand's sporting culture. Those seeking highly technical sports analysis or a critical examination of Olympic politics might find it less engaging.

As heard by us

A strong Olympic interview that balances achievement, ambition, and New Zealand sporting context.

The episode gives Lisa Carrington room to talk through the obvious headline and then keep going: eight Olympic golds, one bronze, and the problem of staying hungry after more than a decade at the top. It lands best when it sits with that tension.

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Why you'd press play

You want Olympic greatness without the usual stiff medal-count voice.

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