Joe Clarke devastated by Tokyo snub
Reigning Olympic canoe slalom champion Joe Clarke says he is ‘in pieces’ after not being picked to go to Tokyo 2020.
The K1 gold medallist from Rio 2016 missed out on Team GB selection after finishing fifth – one place behind team-mate Bradley Forbes-Cryans.
“I wish Bradley all the best going forward,” Clarke told the BBC.
“But it’s so hard to differentiate between fourth and fifth and putting so much on it. Neither of them were medal-winning performances.
“I’m in pieces. I’ve got lots of thoughts going round in my head, but it’s hard to put into words.
“No matter which way I spin it round it feels a bit unjust what’s happened, but I guess that’s sport.”
He added: “(It’s been) My best season to date and I’ve come out with the worst kind of result: not going to the Olympics for the chance to retain my title. The wind’s been taken out of my sails.
“But I hit two gates. And I did not put in my best performance by any means, so there’s only me to blame.
“I knew I’d left the door open. I wasn’t sure exactly how the policy worked. But you don’t look at the rear view mirror at what’s behind you.”
