Six-time Olympic medalist Dame Lisa Carrington has been awarded the New Zealand Olympic Committee’s prestigious Lonsdale Cup for 2023.
The Lonsdale Cup is the NZOC’s most esteemed award and is presented annually to the athlete or team that has made the most outstanding contribution to an Olympic or Commonwealth Sport.
This will be the fourth time the current World Champion has been presented with the cup. It comes off the back of a truly exceptional 2023, where New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian added three world championship titles to her collection, bringing her total to 15 world championship gold medals.
At the 2023 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Germany, Lisa won gold in the K1 500m, the K1 200m – an event she has now won five times, along with gold in the K4 500m with teammates Alicia Hoskin, Tara Vaughan and Olivia Brett.
“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.”
The Lonsdale Cup was first awarded in 1961, with Sir Murray Halberg the inaugural recipient. Since then, it has been won by a host of inspirational New Zealanders who have represented our country with pride and passion. Past winners include Dame Valerie Adams, Sir John Walker, Barbara Kendall, Sir Peter Snell and Sarah Ulmer.
