Woods will be part of a Team GB canoeing squad full of medal potential in Paris, alongside Olympic medallists Joseph Clarke and Mallory Franklin, and Adam Burgess – who missed out on the Tokyo podium by 0.16 seconds.
Despite the anticipated chaos, Woods will hope to replicate her kayak cross world gold – and will also compete in the women’s kayak singles (K1), in which she finished 10th on her Olympic debut three years ago.
Her breakthrough triumph, achieved in front of a home crowd last year, was an emotional achievement for Woods, who has overcome serious mental health issues to reach a second Games.
Woods, who pursued canoeing from a young age after watching a video of her aunt – herself a world junior medallist, told BBC Sport in 2020 she had overcome depression and self-harm, which she linked to being bullied as a child.
Sport offered an escape – and it has taken her to the top of the world.
“It is something that has been a dream since I was a junior,” says Woods.
“I definitely watch the final back if I’m feeling a bit down. It makes me realise how far I’ve come and how big that achievement was. I get those same feelings again and that will remain recorded on my TV for many years.”
Woods, who also won the overall kayak cross World Cup title last year, continued her Paris preparations with bronze at the canoe slalom World Cup in Krakow in June.
The kayak cross competitions begin in Paris on 3 August at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, with an initial time-trial round to determine the heats.
With Olympic experience to call upon and evidence she can win major titles, Woods will be ready as she waits for the gates to open – and the mayhem to start.
“The belief was there in Tokyo, but it is definitely there now. It kind of scares me a little bit to think what could happen – in a good way,” says Woods.
“There is that internal pressure, knowing I can go out there and win each race, but it’s more wanting to than needing to – I think there’s a big difference between those two things.”
Contemplating what it would mean to win Olympic gold, Woods adds: “I’ll be absolutely distraught. Everything would just come out. I was crying at the top of the podium in London after wining the worlds. I’m hoping I will be more composed – but there will probably be some ugly photos of me crying happy tears.
“It would be a nice moment to realise that all the effort, tears, hurt and ups and downs have been worth it.”
Source Agencies
