30-year-old French canoe slalom paddler Lucie Baudu, who competed in kayak and canoe, announced on the social media channels that she decided to conclude her sporting career. "After a summer of reflection, far from the courses and my boat, I made the decision to put down the paddle. My ambition was the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, but with the current selection system, my chances of participating in slalom are today reduced to 0, and it even seems that selection for the French 2024 team could also be complicated... or even impossible," wrote Baudu.
She continued: "I spent 15 years trying to aim for the highest level and my quest ends here! 15 busy years... of victories (small or big), defeats too (that's part of the game), learning, traveling and meeting people. I didn’t always achieve my goals, but I always did my best and as they say, it’s not the destination that counts, but the journey."
Baudu, who started canoeing at the age of nine, had success both at World and European Championships, mainly in the team events. She was a part of the French women's kayak team which celebrated World Champion title in 2018 and European Champion title in 2019. At the 2018 World Championships she also won bronze medal in women's canoe team event. In addition, she has three silver team medals at European Championships and two bronze team medals from the championships of the Old Continent. In U23 age group she won two team medals at World Championships, a team bronze medal at U23 European Championships and a silver medal at 2011 Junior European Championships in women's kayak team event.
In her post she thanked everyone, who supported her and helped her in her sporting career, from her family and friends to coaches and other technical staff as well as partners.
The last competition she takes part in is the French Elite Championships in Cesson Sevigne this October.
21.10.2023
