Canoeing – Like Her

Sylvi Saimo

Sylvi Riitta Saimo was a Finnish athlete and politician who defied societal expectations. She excelled in cross-country skiing, athletics, and orienteering. Saimo became the first-ever female Finnish Olympic Champion in canoeing at the 1952 Summer Olympics, winning the gold medal in the K-1 500 m event. She also achieved success in the 1950 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, winning two gold medals. Saimo’s impact went beyond sports as she served in the Finnish Parliament and advocated for the rights of her constituents.

HungaryCanoeing

Rita Kőbán

Rita Kőbán is a Hungarian sprint canoer who had an illustrious career. She competed in four consecutive Olympic Games and amassed an impressive collection of six medals, including two golds. In addition to her Olympic success, Kőbán also won 26 medals in the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships. She was a trailblazer for women in sports and continues to be an advocate for women’s participation in athletics.

ItalyCanoeing

Josefa Idem

Josefa Idem Guerrini, born in 1964, is an Italian sprint canoer turned politician. She is one of the most accomplished female athletes in her field, having competed in eight Summer Olympics and won five medals. Idem also holds the distinction of being the first Italian woman to win World Championships and Olympic medals in canoe sprint.

Czech RepublicCanoeing

Štěpánka Hilgertová

Štěpánka Hilgertová, born Štěpánka Prošková on April 10, 1968, in Prague, is a former Czechoslovak-Czech slalom canoeist who achieved great success at the international level. Competing from 1988 to 2017, Hilgertová’s remarkable career includes six Summer Olympics and numerous medals at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships and European Championships.

SlovakiaCanoeing

Elena Kaliská

Elena Kaliská, born on 19 January 1972, is a retired Slovak slalom canoeist who made a name for herself in the world of water sports. With a career spanning over three decades, from 1988 to 2019, Kaliská has left an indelible mark on the sport, becoming one of the most successful athletes in the history of canoe slalom.

AustraliaCanoeing

Helen Brownlee

Helen Margaret Brownlee AM (born 18 May 1945) is an Australian executive with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). In 2013, she was the first woman to be elected as one of the vice presidents of the AOC executive board.

AustraliaFranceCanoeing

Jessica Fox

Jessica Fox, born on June 11, 1994, in Marseille, France, is a French-born Australian Program and Policy Officer and world and Olympic champion slalom canoeist. She has achieved remarkable success in her career, including multiple Olympic medals and an impressive tally of 19 medals at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships. With her resilience, determination, and unwavering pursuit of excellence, Fox has solidified her status as the greatest individual paddler in history.

HungaryCanoeing

Danuta Kozák

Danuta Kozák is a legendary Hungarian sprint canoeist who has become one of the most celebrated and successful athletes in the world of canoeing. Her remarkable career includes winning multiple gold medals at the Olympics and numerous championships. Kozák’s contributions to the sport and her historic achievements have elevated women’s sports and left an enduring legacy in the world of sports.

HungaryCanoeing

Natasa Dusev-Janics

Natasa Dusev-Janics, born on June 24, 1982, is a Hungarian sprint canoer who has left an indelible mark on the sport. She began competing for Hungary in 2001 and has since won a remarkable six Olympic medals in the sprint canoe events. However, her journey to become one of the most successful athletes in her discipline had its roots in Serbia. Natasa grew up in Serbia and initially competed for FR Yugoslavia at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She comes from a family of canoers, with her father Milan Jani? winning a silver medal for Yugoslavia in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

New ZealandCanoeing

Lisa Carrington

Dame Lisa Carrington, born in 1989, is New Zealand’s most successful Olympian with five gold medals and one bronze. Hailing from Tauranga, she has made a lasting impact in the world of canoeing, showcasing her incredible talent and unwavering dedication.

CanadaCanoeing

Laurence Vincent Lapointe

Laurence Vincent Lapointe is a Canadian sprint canoeist who has made a significant impact in her sport. Born on May 27, 1992, Lapointe has established herself as one of the most successful and decorated athletes in the history of canoe sprint.

GermanyCanoeing

Katrin Wagner-Augustin

Katrin Wagner-Augustin, born in 1977, is a German canoeist who has made an indelible mark on the sport. With four Olympic gold medals, 10 world championships, 13 European championships, and 49 German championships, she is considered one of the greatest canoeists of her time. Wagner-Augustin’s success has not only broken barriers but has also paved the way for future generations of female athletes.

New ZealandCanoeing

Teneale Hatton

Teneale Hatton is a New Zealand flatwater canoer who has achieved great success in her sport. She has won multiple medals in various competitions and even made history by becoming the second non-European to win the K-1 1000m event at the World Championships. Hatton’s dedication and talent have made her an inspiration to aspiring athletes around the world.

HungaryCanoeing

Katalin Kovács

Katalin Kovács, born in Hungary in 1976, is a celebrated sprint canoeist known for her exceptional talent and dedication to the sport. She has achieved remarkable success throughout her career, winning numerous medals in both the Olympics and the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships. Kovács has also made significant contributions to women’s sports and has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades for her outstanding achievements.

RussiaCanoeing

Mariya Shubina

Mariya Timofeyevna Shubina is a Soviet sprint canoeist who won the K-2 500m gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics. She began her sports career as a cross-country skier and runner, and her involvement in canoeing was accidental. Shubina’s dedication and hard work led to numerous medals at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, and she also pursued her education in sport medicine. Despite retiring from competitive canoeing, she continued to make significant contributions to the field of medicine and served as an inspiration for women in sports.