Paralympics GB Superstar Charlotte Henshaw MBE PLY Reflects On Double Gold at Paris 2024
1. Describe your Paris 2024 experience in 3 words.
Biggest achievement yet!
2. How did Paris 2024 compare to your 4 other PLY Games?
It was my first Games as a canoeist where crowds were there & the atmosphere at the course was just spine tingling! It’s also the first time I’ve been able to compete for two medals so it felt very special & I was grateful for the opportunity to do that.
Image Credit: Paralympics GB / Sam Hellish
3. How was your preparation for Paris 2024? Were you in good health?
I had an elbow surgery in sept 2023 which delayed the start of my season but with careful rehab and progression I was able to build into some of the best shape of my life leading into the 2024 summer! Massive thanks to our physio and coaching team for such great rehab!
4. What was the atmosphere in the Paralympic village like?
I love being in the village. The multi-sport environment, feeling like you’re part of something bigger than just your sport, the food hall, meeting athletes from all over the world – I love it all. It’s one of my favourite parts of being at a Paralympics. It’s also incredibly cool to see people with disabilities from all over the world come together into an environment which caters for them and see how things can work and how people flourish. If only all life could be like that…
5. Pls can you briefly explain the para canoe disciplines you raced in
Kayak is a boat paddled by a double ended blade. Both Olympic and Paralympic kayaking is the same – with para boats being slightly more stable than the Olympic counterparts. The vaa is paddled with a single blade & is an ancient Polynesian craft which was traditionally a sea vessel but now is also raced as the para version of a high kneeling canoe boat. They both require different skills to make them go fast! It’s a real challenge combining both boats.
6. How did you perform?!
I won gold in VL3 and KL2 – both in Paralympic best times! But more than that I really pleased with how I executed my race plan. I wanted to come out of the games being proud of my deliveries, regardless of the result and I don’t think I could have done more.
Image Credit: Imagecomms
7. What are the emotions when you win not just one but two gold PLY medals?!
I still don’t think I’ve fully processed the achievement if I’m honest. Joy. Disbelief. All the emotions! When I knew I had the opportunity to double up in Paris the ultimate dream was to win both but I knew I’d have tough opposition and that Paracanoe is incredibly competitive. To achieve that feat was a true team effort & massive thanks have to go to my coach, hannah, and support staff for preparing me so well to win 2 golds within 24 hours of each other.
Image Credit: Imagecomms
8. In what ways did Paris 24 help the future of Para sport & elite para athletes?!
I think the brilliant coverage by channel 4 allows the Paralympics into people’s homes back in the UK. If we don’t see para sport in the media we can’t do the part of our job as Paralympians which is to help advocate for change & provide a voice for disabled people through the power of sport.
9. How was the Paris closing ceremony for you?!
Wet! But despite that we had a fun time – conga lines and lots of dancing! closing ceremonies are always a brilliant chance to celebrate the achievements of the athletes, celebrate as a team & really see how the public have embraced the Paralympics and the French crowd were brilliant!
10. What’s next for triple Paralympic champion Charlotte Henshaw MBE PLY?
A holiday and a rest first! We don’t often get chance to have a proper rest so I’ll take some time to switch off from “athlete mode”and re engage with parts of my life that bring me joy in other ways. I also want to make the most of the time being able to share my gold medal moments with people – schools, businesses etc. then I’ll get back to training and start planning for the LA2028 cycle!