South Africa
Canoe
I am a semi-retired 3x Olympic athlete with a bronze medal from the London Olympics 2012 and three World Championship medals. I have competed for South Africa at the highest level since 2006 in flatwater sprints, marathon, and some ocean racing too. I spent a lot of time training abroad in Hungary and Austria during my Olympic campaign. I am now focusing more of my energy on being a coach at a boys' school called Maritzburg College, where I coach boys from the ages of 14 to 18. I have taken one to the World Championships for marathon in 2024 and hope to get a medal with him this year and try for The World Games qualification as well as Olympic Games LA qualification as a coach.
University RAG committee when I was studying
I was a member of the RAG (reach out and give) committee at the university. My portfolio was debutants and the final production, so I took the candidates to many charity organisations to show support
10th and 12th Place in Flatwater Marathon at The World Games 2022
3 Bronze Medals at the World Championships (2006–2021) in Flatwater Sprints, Marathon, and Ocean Racing
1st, 3rd, and 3rd at the 2009 World Cup; 3rd and 3rd in 2021 – Flatwater Sprints and Marathon
Olympic Games 2008, 2012, 2016 – Flatwater Sprint: Bronze Medal, Semifinalist, and B-Finalist (12th and 15th Place)
I love learning how the larger sports organizations work to support all sport codes. I aspired to be an IOC member through the athletes' committee and was a candidate during the Tokyo Olympics. This learning and networking environment brings together aspiring athletes to share stories, brainstorm, and discover new ideas to support the next generation. Topics like mental health and career transition are especially important to me as ways to help other athletes.
The ICF has 2 disciplines at The World Games. I would love to learn how I can be a part of the AC to help future athletes express their challenges and help them improve.
I have been a part of my local AC for two terms and Chair of the ICF Athletes' Commission for three years. I have faced new challenges and gained experiences to share.
I would love to create a safe space for athletes to share information, as I am passionate about sport and the opportunities it gives to people from different countries, especially poorer nations.
Financial pressures while competing and being ill-prepared for the size of an Olympic Village—as it’s overwhelming. Living in Europe and being lonely sometimes, just to achieve my goals.
My dad introduced me to sport, and a Hungarian coach spotted me in South Africa. I tried everything in school: netball, hockey, gymnastics, water polo, surfing, and cricket.
I love the challenge that sport brings—the discipline, the perseverance, the goal-setting—and the friendships I’ve made from all over the world.
Help athletes improve in being more prepared for big competitions. Help them network with each other from different countries and sport codes. Share stories so we can all learn from each other.
Sporty, optimistic, blonde
Sport is an incredible place for people to express themselves and challenge their own limits while learning along the way.
The athletes’ voice is a platform to help other athletes have a better experience, as we face the same challenges.