Canoe racing conspiracy theory is way off the mark

Hamish Bidwell (HB Today, May 3, 2022) has created a Canoe Racing NZ conspiracy theory where there is no such thing.

The CRNZ selection criteria for international events is clearly laid out on the website and has been available since January 2022. The selection criteria were not rapidly “convened” to protect Carrington — Bidwell casts Carrington as a princess who must be protected and Fisher as a victim who has her sporting rights stolen from her. Neither of these things is true. Both are exceptional athletes who would have gone into the National Regatta at Karapiro aware of the selection criteria and what they would both need to achieve to gain the K1 place at the World Champs.

If Bidwell just thought Fisher should have got the spot at the World Champs that would have been fair enough but to concoct a conspiracy theory needs a challenge. (abridged) Julie Murphy

Hospital Hill