Bryon City’s Evy Leibarth To Compete In Her Second Olympic Games

She started the sport at 3 years old by her own admission and now 17 years later, Evy Leibarth will be competing in her second olympic games when she hits the water at the end this month in Paris. For Evy, who is from Bryson City, kayaking has been her life.

“As i grew up, i was always doing it, either on little rivers sitting on my parents lap when i was really young or in my own little boat playing around and as i grew up i just found a love for the sport.”

That love has fueled a passion in this young woman that has made her one of the best in the country. Evy says there is one thing that has helped her reach the success she has.

“one of the best pieces of advice i have gotten from my dad has been just always moving forward. if you make a mistake you just have to keep going and if you have a bad race you just keep going.”

Leibarth competed in two events in the Tokyo Games. In Paris, she will be the first American woman to qualify for three whitewater events.

“you know i know that for the past three years i have done everything possible i can to prepare. whatever outcome happens you know i am going to be proud of that and proud of the journey that led me there and you know i just have to be confident in my skills and confident that i have what it takes to do well out there.”