One of the sadder sights at the Tokyo Olympic Games was watching the British canoeist Kimberley Woods break down in tears after 56 seconds of time penalties and finishing last in the women’s single kayak (K1) final.
The 28-year-old still finds it hard to watch that moment but she will get two shots at redemption after being named on Wednesday as part of an “exceptional” four-strong Team GB canoeing squad for the Paris Games.
Woods is in confident mood after being named in the K1 event, as well as the thrilling new kayak cross event – known previously as extreme slalom – where four competitors whitewater race in identical plastic boats.
“I’ve got twice the chance this time,” she said. “Tokyo was really heartbreaking. It was not my finest moment to be seen crying on TV but I feel I’ve grown so much mentally and physically, and I’m really looking forward to showing what I’ve got.”
Woods recently became the world champion and world No 1 at kayak cross, a feat made even more impressive given that previously she has spoken openly about her struggles with bullying and her mental health, which led to self-harming and being referred to the Priory. But she is in a much better place now just nine months from the Games.
“One of the things my coach and I say is to be completely honest with each other, whether it is going well or not,” Woods said. “Because things can build up very quickly, especially in elite sport when it is not going as well or you are not as lean as you were in the summer. I’m still seeing a therapist outside of sport and topping up the toolbox.”
Woods said she hoped that by speaking openly about her experiences, it would help others going through similar challenges. “My coach says it is not just about the paddle, it’s about the person. And we are trying to build that culture in British canoeing.
“It’s good when you see athletes like [the USA gymnast] Simone Biles pulling out of Olympic competition and it’s OK. She may have got a little bit of hate, but she was doing it for her and no one else. It’s really cool to see people having those conversations. I like to think I am using my platform for good. It’s not just about canoeing.”
Woods will be joined in the Paris team by the Olympic medallists Joe Clarke and Mallory Franklin, as well as Adam Burgess, who was fourth in Tokyo.
Clarke, who won a men’s kayak single gold medal at the Rio 2016 Games, returns after controversially missing out on selection for Tokyo.
The 31-year-old will not only compete in the kayak single but also kayak cross – and will be among the favourites having won world titles in both events this year.
“It’s special heading as reigning world champion,” he said. “It adds a target to my back, but I have high expectations of myself so I’m very excited.”
Franklin, the women’s canoe single world champion, will also compete in women’s kayak cross. The 29-year-old, who won a silver medal in 2021, said: “It will be a different experience to Tokyo with the crowd and atmosphere. I will embrace it.”
Meanwhile Mark Ratcliffe, the Team GB performance director for canoe slalom, insisted the squad was capable of challenging for the podium in every event. “We have an exceptionally strong team going to Paris,” he said. “We have medal potential in every event. All four of them have performed exceptionally well to get selected, but the journey starts now.”
