Paris 2024: How Para canoeist Scott Martlew made history
Scott Martlew made history at Rio 2016 as the first Para canoeist to represent New Zealand at a Paralympic Games. He goes to Paris 2024 hoping to make it on the podium in the men’s KL2 class 15 Aug 2024
A sport enthusiast, 17-year-old Scott Martlew was looking forward to playing for his high school in a curtain-raiser to New Zealand’s iconic Crusaders vs Brumbies Super Rugby fixture.
One week later the youngster was fighting for his life after what seemed an innocuous knock on the pitch developed into an infection of a flesh-eating bacteria.
“I was in an induced coma for a month, hospital for two months, intense recovery eight months,” recalls Martlew. “I got the injury in the first half, thought it was a dead leg and I could run it off. After that it was quite sore and got worse as the days went on.”
“By the time the hospital realised what was happening there was not much they could do but amputate to save my life.”
Life has changed for Martlew, but he was buoyed by his love of sport and his determination to become a Paralympian. Now, he is gearing up for the Paris 2024 Paralympics, his third Games.
Gearing up for Paris
Martlew competed at Rio 2016, where Para canoe made its Paralympic debut. Up to 100 Para canoe athletes will compete at the Vaires-Sur-Marne Nautical Stadium at Paris 2024, which will open on 28 August.
“Preparation for Paris has had ups and downs, curve balls and what not, but it’s been a cool process to go through. I’m trying to hone in and make myself go faster than I had before.
“I’ve been trying new things and as it’s a shorter period, it feels it has come round quickly.
“My hope is I get to the start line in the best condition I can and be ready to race. Let the race take care of itself through preparation I have already done.”
Martlew’s sporting work ethic was instilled as a youngster and the rehab from his amputation has again been helped by refusing to compromise. At Rio 2016, he competed in the men’s KL3 event and reached the final.
At the 2018 World Championships in Portugal, he won silver in the men’s 200m KL2 event and took to the podium for the first time on a global stage. Three years later, he returned to the Paralympics, reaching the finals in both the men’s kayak single KL2 and men’s va’a single VL3 races.
Love for the water and the Games
Para canoe is a relatively young sport. And it was the inclusion in the Paris 2024 Paralympic programme that motivated him to take up the sport seriously.
“I was doing kayaking before I lost my leg so it was natural to get back into it. I love the water and when Para canoe was introduced [as a Para sport] in 2016 that put a target in front of me and the rest is history.”
“Competing in Rio was surreal. I thought I wasn’t going to be there then got the call up, just walking out to the Opening Ceremony and see my parents there as well was a really cool moment.”
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, his second Games, were different. There were rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and competitions took place largely without spectators.
“Tokyo 2020 was a lot different to Rio. We were appreciative we got to race and get out on the water and see what we have been training for, but it was a different Games,” said Martlew, who finished a fourth in the men’s 200m KL2.
Dedication and talent
Preparing for his third Games, Martlew believes that talent and dedication are both important to become the best in the world.
“I see a lot of talented people come and go from sports. Talent only gets you so far, you have to work hard with that talent to become the best,” he said.
“What it takes is hard work and dedication to your sport. You are living and breathing what you do 24/7 and not doing anything that will hinder your performance."
“I really began to get serious when I was 17-years-old. A matter of months later I had a life-changing injury and my sights then shifted to the Paralympics.”
— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) December 15, 2020
Ten years on, @scottmartlew prepares for his second Paralympics: https://t.co/cQxP9l5m2O
📸 : @hannahpetersnz | Getty pic.twitter.com/mtRdSLxOAN
“Apart from hard work I have a team around me which supports and enables me to do what I do really. “
Now the only thing on Martlew’s horizon is Paris 2024. And he embraces the impact that Para sport has made in his life.
“Being involved in Para sports and an elite athlete opens a lot of doors which I wouldn’t have been able to do, travel to cool places and meet cool people, it is a great experience.”
Discover more about Para canoe and the 22 sports in the Paris 2024 Paralympic sports programme
