Everything has led to this, and it’s just the beginning. Learn more about our athletes’ dreams becoming a reality as part of Making Team USA, presented by Xfinity at teamusa.com/making-team-usa
The American Canoe Association and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee have officially announced the roster of Team USA athletes nominated to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The athletes who will be competing for the United States are:
Paralympic Team
Men’s Team
- Blake Haxton — Columbus, OH
Women’s Team
- Jillian Elwart — Little Rock, AR
Olympic Team
Women’s Canoe
- Nevin Harrison — San Diego, CA
Men’s Kayak
- Jonas Ecker — Bellingham, WA
- Aaron Small — Seattle, WA
With the exception of Blake Haxton, the athletes listed above were selected for Team USA based on their performances at the 2024 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team Trials that took place in Folsom, California, March 22-23, 2024. With no other competitors in his class registered for the 2024 U.S. Paralympic Team Trials, Blake’s qualification was awarded for his top 6 place finish at the 2023 Paracanoe World Championships.
At the 2023 Paracanoe World Championships in Duisburg, Germany, August 23-26, both Blake Haxton and Jillian Elwart qualified Paralympic quotas for the United States. Blake had an exceptional 3rd place finish in the Men’s VL2 200m event, earning himself a bronze medal and his chance to compete in the Pairs 2024 Paralympics. Jillian finished an a very impressive 4th place in the Women’s VL3 200m event, just over a second off of Brazil’s, Mari Christina Santilli’s 3rd place finish. After month’s of hard training at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista, California, we can’t wait to see Jillian race this September in France at her first Paralympic Games.
For Blake, this will be his third Paralympic Games. Blake competed first as a rower at the Rio 2016 Paralympics. In 2021, Blake distinguished himself in paracanoe with a 2nd place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in the Men’s VL2 200m event. More recently, Blake earned himself another spot on the podium at the 2024 Paracanoe World Championships for his 3rd place finish this May 11, 2023! We are very excited about the medal prospects for both Blake and Jillian who have shown the world that they have what it takes to be the best!
Athlete: Jillian Elwart
On the Women’s Olympic Team, Nevin Harrison, the reigning Olympic Champion in the Women’s C1 200m, hopes to defend her title this summer at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In France, Nevin looks forward to the energy of the crowds — a dramatic contrast to the empty stands and palpable silence of her winning race at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Nevin qualified the U.S. Olympic quota for the Women’s C1 200m event at the 2023 Sprint Canoe World Championships in Duisburg, Germany with her 4th place finish.
Both members of the Men’s Olympic Team, Jonas Ecker and Aaron Small will both be making their Olympic debut’s at the Paris 2024 Olympic. Jonas and Aaron needed a win in the Men’s K2 500m event to qualify for the Olympics at the 2024 Americas Continental Olympic Qualifier and Canoe Sprint Pan American Championships and they got it! This event, which took place April 23-25 in Sarasota, Florida, was their final opportunity to qualify the U.S. an Olympic quota. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Jonas and Aaron will race together in the Men’s K2 500m event and independently in the Men’s K1 1000m event. Keep an eye one these two, we are sure this is only the beginning for them!
Photo Credit: Braca-Sport // Athlete: Nevin Harrison
Watching the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Every event of the Summer Olympics and Paralympics will be broadcast live on Peacock, making it the most comprehensive live coverage in U.S. media history!
Additionally, be sure to tune in to the Olympic Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 26 on NBC and Peacock beginning at 12pm ET. Telemundo will provide Spanish-language coverage beginning at 1pm ET. Primetime coverage starts at 7:30pm ET/PT on NBC and Peacock.
How to Watch Blake and Jillian
Blake’s first race of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, the Men’s Va’a Single 200m – VL2 Heats, will take place on Friday, September 6 at 11:45am Central European Time. The Men’s Va’a Single 200m – VL2 Final A will take place on Sunday, September 8 at 11:49am Central European Time.
Jillian’s first race of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, the Women’s Va’a Single 200m – VL3 Heats will take place on Friday, September 6 at 10:30am Central European Time. The Women’s Va’a Single 200m – VL3 Final A will take place on Saturday, September 7 at 12:36pm Central European Time.
View the entire Paracanoe Paralympic Schedule
How to Watch Nevin, Jonas, and Aaron
Nevin’s first race of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Women’s Canoe Single 200m Heats, will begin on Thursday, August 8 at 10:30am Central European Time. The Women’s Canoe Single 200m Final A will take place on Saturday, August 10 at 1:50pm Central European Time.
Jonas’s first race of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Men’s Kayak Double 500m Heats, will begin on Tuesday, August 6 at 11:30am Central European Time. He will race again in the Men’s Kayak Single 1000m Heats on Wednesday, August 7 at 10:40am Central European Time. The Men’s Kayak Double 500m Final A will take place on Friday, August 9 at 1:30pm Central European Time. The Men’s Kayak Single 1000m Final A will take place on Saturday, August 10 at 1:20pm Central European Time.
Aaron’s first race of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Men’s Kayak Double 500m Heats, will take place on Tuesday, August 6 at 11:30am Central European Time. He will race again in the Men’s Kayak Single 1000m Heats on Wednesday, August 7 at 10:40am Central European Time. The Men’s Kayak Double 500m Final A will take place on Friday, August 9 at 1:30pm Central European Time. The Men’s Kayak Single 1000m Final A will take place on Saturday, August 10 at 1:20pm Central European Time.