Images: Getty
With 20 medals – 10 gold, seven silver and three bronze – Paris 2024 was New Zealand’s most successful Olympic Games ever. Two hundred and four Kiwi athletes from 23 sports represented Aotearoa, competing over 19 days.
The haul – which put the Kiwi team 11th on the medal table – was dominated by our wāhine toa, with all but two gold medals awarded to women.
Dame Lisa Carrington, 35, added another three gold medals to her collection, leading the K4 team in a nailbiter finale, teaming up with fellow K4 teammate Alicia Hoskin, 24, to storm over the line in the K2 500m, and left everyone in her wake at the blue riband K1 500m. She has a total Olympic medal tally of eight gold and one bronze.
Wānaka-born track cyclist Ellesse Andrews, 24, also returns home with a trio of medals, after winning gold in the keirin and sprint, and silver in the team sprint.
“It’s been a massive week,” enthuses Ellesse, who started riding track bikes when she was 13. “It’s been a 10-year dream to be here and not one that I always thought was possible. In your younger years, you never know where you’re going to end up, but I really started chasing that and here we are today.”
Golfer Lydia Ko, 27, qualified for the LPGA Hall of Fame after swinging a gold. It was a perfect answer to her bronze in Tokyo 2020 and silver in Rio 2016.
Rugby legend Portia Woodman-Wickliffe hung up her boots in style, retiring from international rugby with an Olympic gold.
“We did it!” says Portia, 33. “And we got to do it in front of family and friends. This ranks number one in my highlights reel.”
Tyla King, 30, also finished her sevens career with gold. “To go out and put in a performance we are proud of means such a lot. It took a village to get us to this moment.”
Hamish Kerr, 27, had us on the edge of our seats in a dramatic jump-off with American Shelby McEwen that lasted more than 30 minutes. “To come away with gold is absolutely remarkable – such a special feeling,” he tells.
Finn Butcher, 29, surprised with a gold in new Olympic discipline of kayak cross. The achievement earned him the role of flagbearer alongside Dame Lisa in the epic closing ceremony.
See below for more photos of out Kiwi victors at the Paris Olympics
Maddison-Lee Wesche showed off her Kiwi pride following her silver in the shot put.
In Sevens heaven, the team put on another great performance, treating the crowd to a haka.
Hamish flew to victory with an especially dramatic high jump showdown.
An oarsome result by (from left) Tara Vaughan, Olivia Brett, Alicia and Lisa.
Emma Twigg snatched silver in her Games swansong.
Double the joy with Alicia.
Lisa made it three golds – undeniably blitzing the competition on the water.
Finn made Olympic history.
Double scullers Lucy Spoors (left) and Brooke Francis were dubbed the “super mums”.
Gold suits Lydia to a tee!
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