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The 28-year-old Danish kayaker Emma Aastrand Jørgensen has written herself into history books as one of World’s most successful canoe sprinters, as well as the most successful female Olympic athlete in Denmark, following bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, her fourth Olympic medal in career. She won Olympic silver medal in 2016, two bronze medals at the Tokyo Olympic Games, and bronze medal in K1 500-metres event in Paris.  

 

She also won three gold, two silver and a bronze medal at European Games, four European Champion titles, two silver and four bronze medals at the European Championships, as well as three gold, three silver and three bronze medals at World Championships.

 

“I feel like I’ve reached a point in my life where it makes sense for me to stop. Throughout my career, it has been a huge motivation for me to have fun canoeing. I still love the sport, but it’s just not as enjoyable for me as it has been in the past. I have competed at the highest level for ten years, and I am extremely proud and satisfied with my career, and I am ready to try something new in my life,” says Emma Aastrand Jørgensen.

 

The decision to end her career was well-thought, “I have known for several months that I would retire from my canoeing career, and in that way, I have had time to reflect on whether it is the right decision. And it is. I feel happy and at peace with the decision, which I have discussed many times with my closest family. I have consulted with them, and they have supported me in doing what feels right. It has been really nice.”

 

Emma Aastrand Jørgensen is beginning to decide on her further steps, including settling into a new everyday life where she is no longer a high-level kayaker.

 

“I have had countless experiences with many fantastic athletes, coaches, and sports directors. I owe them a big thank you for allowing me to do things my way and for being part of an environment where we all made each other better. It’s new for me to be here and not be ‘kayak-Emma.’ Now I have to find out how to be Emma, who doesn’t kayak at an elite level. I’m really looking forward to a new everyday life, and I’m sure I’ll find something new and exciting to dive into,” she concluded.