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The American Canoe Association and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee have officially announced the roster of Team USA’s paracanoe athletes nominated to compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The athletes who will be competing for the United States are:
Women’s Team
- Jillian Elwart — Little Rock, AR
Men’s Team
- Blake Haxton — Columbus, OH
Jillian Was selected for Team USA based on her performance at the 2024 U.S. Paralympic Team Trials that took place in Folsom, California, March 22-23, 2024. Blake’s qualification was awarded for his top 6 place finish at the 2023 Paracanoe World Championships.
Athlete: Jillian Elwart
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 Paris 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!
Photo Credit: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images // Athlete: Blake Haxton
Paracanoe was first included in the Paralympic program in the Rio 2016 Paralympics. So far, the United States has collected one Paralympic paracanoe medal, and that is the silver medal earned by Blake Haxton in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Watching the 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
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.
View the entire Paracanoe Paralympic Schedule
How to Watch Jillian
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.