Nevin's Journey to the Olympics

My name is Nevin Harrison. I'm 17 years old and chasing my dream to compete in the 2020 Olympic Games in flatwater sprint canoe. This will be the first year that women will be competing in this event, and it would be an incredible experience and honor to represent the United States in Tokyo. I've been paddling for 5 years and have dedicated my whole life to being the best that I can be in this sport.

I have officially qualified for the Olympic Games and have become the 2019 world champion! After competitive racing at the senior world championships is Szeged, Hungary, I finished with a gold medal in the C1 200m. I'm so proud of my results and blown away by all of it.  I know that this is only the beginning. Here is the Link to my World Championship final!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk3KGIs-0BM 

I'm 4x national champion, and have won 4 gold medals and 1 silver medal at the Olympics Hopes Regatta (2017 and 2018). I hold American records in the 200m, 500m, and 1000m and was the first American to win a gold medal at OHR.

Qualifying for the Olympics is a complicated and costly process. Although I live in Seattle, I currently train in Gig Harbor with the national team coach. Now that I have officially qualified a quota spot for the United States, everything gets a lot more exciting, but also more complicated. 

The annual cost of training and competing for the Olympics can easily reach or exceed $20,000.  My goal is to raise $10,000 this year to help me cover the cost of  racing, traveling, equipment and training. Hopefully in the near future, I will have more and more funding.

Thank you for reading my story and for taking interest in helping me reach my goals!!