WINDSOR’S Mallory Franklin won’t let much get in the way of her training ahead of Paris 2024- and certainly not a broken hand.

The triple-threat canoeist revealed she snapped the top of her knuckle in winter training while heading up-stream after flipping over and clipping a concrete block.

But, thanks to a titanium pin, the Tokyo silver medallist is in a good place ahead of a crucial 2023 campaign.

“It was totally random but very me at the same time," she said.

"I'm surprised I haven’t done anything similar in the past.

“My hand should be stronger than it was before with a titanium pin through the middle of it, so I should technically be bionic now.

“It still affects me in certain elements when I’m in the gym doing weights, or opening and closing in C1, that can hurt.

“Considering the surgeon thought it would hurt for four to six months, I’m in a great place.”

Franklin is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing her to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – this is vital for her pathway to the Paris 2024 Games.

When she is not paddling, the 29-year-old enjoys winding down with a spot of baking.

But the Berkshire star won’t be found on Celebrity Bake Off ahead of next year’s Games.

“It would be cool to do, maybe if I do well in Paris we’ll talk about it then,” she said.

“I can’t bake loads as I eat it all, which isn’t conducive to being an athlete.

“Cupcakes and cookies are quite versatile and you can play around with flavours a lot more.”

With the Paris 2024 Olympics only one year away, the Games are set to inspire people and communities all across the country. Franklin hopes that by sharing her story it will give others motivation to get involved into sport.

Franklin claimed European silver last year in kayak cross, an exciting combination of all white-water disciplines with an initial time trial stage, followed by head-to-head contact-permitted racing, that will make its Olympic debut next summer.

She said: “Of the racing I did last year, there were times where it was beneficial to not be leading off the start and you can hold back to attack at different times.

“It’s easy to train for a time trial and work out how to be quicker.

“But, how to make certain decisions and decide where in the ramp is better, what ups are better to do, all of that is a whole tactical side of the sport we don’t have ordinarily." 

 

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