New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian, Dame Lisa Carrington, is releasing her first children’s book, “Lisa Carrington Chases a Champion.”
The book will be available next month in English and te reo Māori, titled “Ko Lisa Carrington me te Toa Whakaihuwaka.” Fresh off winning her eighth Olympic gold medal in Paris, Carrington hopes to inspire young readers with her story.
The book is based on 8-year-old Lisa, who learns to set goals and overcome challenges with the help of her family. “It talks about showing up, sticking to something, and believing in yourself,” Carrington explained. The story features her parents, her two older brothers, and her little dog, Colin.
Carrington’s book aims to reach all children in New Zealand, celebrating her Māori heritage through its bilingual versions. She is proud of the illustrations, which she describes as colorful and true to her family. Carrington’s journey to write the book began after the Tokyo Olympics when Huia Publishers approached her, giving her the perfect opportunity to share her experiences and inspire the next generation.
