RUGBY canoeist Kimberley Woods has won a second bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
She finished third in the Women’s Kayak Cross final this afternoon (Monday August 5).
It is her second Olympic medal after she claimed bronze in the Women’s Kayak Single final last week, fulfilling a childhood dream.
Speaking to The Observer last week following that result, Rugby-born Kimberley said it was ‘incredibly special’ to stand on the Olympic podium.
She said: “I felt all the emotions holding that medal for the first time. All the tears and hard work I put into this Olympic cycle, all the heartbreaking races and tough sessions and the mental health struggles in the last 10 years… I’ve dreamt of standing on that podium for months – and I finally did.”
Having failed to pick up a medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Kimberley felt confident and excited to be a part of Team GB again.
“I got the first run Olympic nerves out of the way and each run I did from then my confidence and focus grew.
“I’ve never felt more myself. That is what the Olympics should feel like. I was able to be myself and give it everything and I was super proud of how I paddled.”
Kimberley joined Rugby Canoe Club at a young age, inspired by her auntie Diane Woods.
She said: “I really wanted to take the sport up as I watched loads of clips of my auntie racing and winning a medal at the junior world championships and I just wanted to give it a go myself.”
She has been dreaming of an Olympic medal since she matched Diane’s achievement in 2012.
Diane, who still coaches canoeing, said: “I was extremely emotional and very proud to see Kimberley win bronze. This is something that she has dreamt off and worked very hard to achieve.
“Kimberley is the most hardworking athlete I have ever known. The difference between her and me is that while I wanted to do my best, she wants to win and be the best – and she certainly achieved that.
“I have never been so proud – and she still has more to give.”
Her ultimate goals are to become an Olympic champion and help promote kayaking in the UK, adding: “I want someone to tell a story like I have, being a little girl watching this amazing sport, learning and becoming obsessed with it, to then end up standing on an Olympic podium.”
