Teen gold medalist Nevin Harrison, 19, opens up on overcoming her ‘terror’ of competing in the Olympics to take first in women’s 200m single canoe race
- The 19-year-old from Seattle, WA, had declared her ambition to win gold, but revealed she had been engulfed with fear of competing on sports biggest stage
- Tonight she put those worries behind her to win the gold medal
- She beat Canada’s Laurence Vincent-Lapointe (silver) and bronze medalist Liudmyla Luzan of Ukraine
- She said: ‘Olympic gold in 2021 has always been my dream, and it is crazy that it is within reach, it’s terrifying
- ‘The pressure is scary, but it also holds me to a higher standard. I know the world is watching so I have to make sure to always put my best foot forward'
- Find out the latest Tokyo Olympic news including schedule, medal table and results right here
Teenager Nevin Harrison overcame her ‘terror’ of competing in the Olympics to strike gold in the women’s 200m single canoe race.
The 19-year-old from Seattle, WA, had declared her ambition to win gold, but revealed she had been engulfed with fear of competing on sports biggest stage.
Tonight she put those worries behind her to win the gold medal, beating Canada’s Laurence Vincent-Lapointe (silver) and bronze medalist Liudmyla Luzan of Ukraine.
Teenager Nevin Harrison overcame her ‘terror’ of competing in the Olympics to strike gold in the women’s 200m single canoe race
Gold medalist Nevin Harrison of the United States celebrates on the podium after her win
The new Olympic champion only took up the sport five years ago and after successes in the World Championships, the expectations of gold in Tokyo grew.
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She said: ‘Olympic gold in 2021 has always been my dream, and it is crazy that it is within reach, it’s terrifying.
‘The pressure is scary, but it also holds me to a higher standard. I know the world is watching so I have to make sure to always put my best foot forward.
(From R) Bronze medalist Ukraine's Luidmyla Luzan, gold medalist USA's Nevin Harrison and silver medalist Canada's Laurence Vincent-Lapointe pose on the podium following the women's canoe single 200m final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Sea Forest Waterway in Tokyo on August 5
The 19-year-old from Seattle, WA, had declared her ambition to win gold, but revealed she had been engulfed with fear of competing on sports biggest stage
Tonight she put those worries behind her to win the gold medal, beating Canada’s Laurence Vincent-Lapointe (silver) and bronze medalist Liudmyla Luzan of Ukraine
‘The Olympic Games mean everything to me. I've dedicated my whole life for this dream.’
Nevin took up paddling eight years ago having originally chosen running, until she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia.
The pain forced her to stop running and take up paddling, first in a kayak then in a canoe.
‘Most people start with kayaking and people might get mad at me, but I got in the kayak, and I thought, “This is boring. I want to do something harder”.
‘So when I was 12 and I was falling every single time in the canoe, I liked the challenge.’
Nevin took up paddling eight years ago having originally chosen running, until she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. She is pictured with her family
Her role models usually came from Team USA Olympic athletes like Allyson Felix, Gabby Douglas, and Jamaica’s sprint king Usain Bolt. 'I always dreamed of being as dominant as they were’ she added
'Growing up I didn’t have any role models in the canoe/kayak world because I didn’t really know anyone.
‘The canoe is such a small sport in the US so it was really just fun until a few years ago.’
Her role models usually came from Team USA Olympic athletes like Allyson Felix, Gabby Douglas, and Jamaica’s sprint king Usain Bolt.
'I always dreamed of being as dominant as they were’ she added.
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