Carrie Johnson
Height: 5-6
Weight: 140 lbs
Date of Birth: Jan. 16, 1984
Birthplace: San Diego, Calif.
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
Current Residence: Chula Vista, Calif.
College: University California at San Diego (2007), Biochemistry
Coach: Nathan Luce
Equipment: Nelo boat, Braca paddle
Career Highlights:
- 2004 Olympic Team: K-1 500m, K-4 500m
- 2007 Worlds: 5th - K-1 500m; 4th - K-1 1000m
- 2007 World Cup II: 1st - K-1 1000m
- Beijing Test Event: silver medal - k1 500m
Carrie Johnson blew everyone out of the water in 2004 when she finished first in the K-1 500m race, earning an automatic spot on the 2004 Olympic Team. Four years later, she became the first member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team - Canoe/Kayak to qualify by name.
Johnson, a native of San Diego, has been training at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., since 2002. She got involved in sports at a young age and started swimming when she was only three months old. She has participated in soccer, dancing and diving and was a gymnast for 11 years. Johnson began kayaking after getting involved through the Junior Lifeguard Program and the San Diego Canoe and Kayak Team. At the 2002 Bochum Jr. International Regatta, she finished ninth in K-2 500m, 12th in K-2 1000m and 13th in K-1 500m.
Once a promising junior sprint athlete, she was forced to miss the 2003 season due to injury and illness. While rehabilitating a shoulder injury, she was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. In the second half of 2003, her condition stabilized and enabled her to train over the winter leading up to her winning the K-1W at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials, earning a trip to Athens by defeating two Olympians.
At the Games in Athens, she had the highest U.S. finish at 10th - barely missing the cut to nine for the finals at age 20.
Since the Athens Olympic Games, she has steadily moved up among the worlds best, finishing eighth at the World Championships in 2005, sixth in 2006 and fifth in 2007. At the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, she finished first in the women's K-1 500m and first in the women's K-2 500m with partner Maggie Hogan.
Personal:
- Family: Parents - Ronald and Sally Johnson; sisters - Stacy (22) and Virginia (21) Johnson
- Hobbies: Painting, learning to surf
- Nickname: "Care Bear"
- Honors: USOC Athlete of the Month (May 2007); San Diego Hall of Champions Athlete of the Month (August 2007)
- Website: carriejohnson.net
