After eight years, canoe sprint podium coach Kristina Medovcikova is set to depart Paddle UK to return to her native Slovakia.
Kristina, who made history in Tokyo becoming the first female canoe sprint coach for Team GB at an Olympic Games, has been with Paddle UK since October 2016.
Having cut her teeth with the Paddle Scotland (formerly Scottish Canoe Association) for nine years prior to joining the GB set up, she cites the people she has met, coached and worked with, the system set up in Scotland and the part she has played in athletes chasing their dreams as her career highlights.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to have coached here, first in Scotland and then in Nottingham. The cultures and people have shaped me and allowed me to grow and develop into the person and coach I am today.
“I would like to take this chance to say thank you to everyone who has been on this epic journey with me, all those who believed, trusted, supported, helped and challenged me. I am forever grateful for the opportunity, support and kindness.
“I have some really cherished memories and friendships which will last a lifetime. What a ride it has been but now it’s time for me to move on to the next exciting journey.”
Kristina will become head coach of Kajak & Kanoe Klub Komárno in Slovakia, where she will oversee more than 100 athletes from the age of eight all the way to seniors. The club has had nine Olympians and four Olympic medals from the Athens, Beijing, London and Tokyo Olympic Games.
Paddle UK senior podium coach, James Train, said: “Kristina’s contribution to canoe sprint in the UK has been huge over the last 17 years.
“In that time Kristina has developed multiple crews that have achieved A Finals at World Cups, European Championships and World Championships. In addition to this Kristina coached Deborah Kerr to an Olympic Final in Tokyo in WK1 200m.
“Beyond these achievements Kristina has embodied passion, drive and dedication in everything that she has done whilst working at Paddle UK, she has given everything to help the athletes that she has worked with.”
Chris Furber, canoe sprint and paracanoe performance director, added: “I want to thank Kristina for the time and dedication she has shown to the World Class Programme and to canoe sprint paddlers in the last eight years.
“With her passion, knowledge and dedication Kristina has worked tirelessly to support athletes and she has always shown that she cares for paddlers beyond what they do in the gym or on the water.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank her personally for the support she has shown me since I took the performance director role and to wish her every success with her next endeavour.
“The flatwater programme has already undertaken a review and planning for the LA cycle is well underway. Recruitment for new canoe sprint coach to support our LA ambitions is a priority and further details will be released in due course.”