The 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships will receive AUD$3.2 million in funding from the State and Federal Governments to support the organisation of the flagship event.
A legacy venue of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the Penrith Whitewater Stadium will play host to the World Championships next year.
Scheduled to take place from October 1 to 6, the event will mark the 25th anniversary of the Sydney Games.
The World Championships is heading down under for the first time since 2005, with more than 300 competitors from 50 nations expected to take part.
Australia enjoyed a spectacular Paris 2024 Olympic Games with three gold medals in Canoe Slalom, thanks to local heroes Jessica Fox, who triumphed in the kayak and canoe singles and sister Noemie Fox, who scripted history by becoming the first kayak cross women’s gold medallist as the event made its Games debut.
ICF President Thomas Konietzko said: “The NSW Government’s significant contribution to the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Penrith will help towards delivering a successful event.
“Penrith has played a crucial role in producing the world’s best Canoe Slalom athlete Jessica Fox.
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“After the resounding success of Paris 2024 which saw her sister Noemie win gold during the kayak cross debut at the Olympic Games, the World Championships at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium will be the perfect setting to inspire future generations, add to the legacy of Sydney 2000 and engage fans on the green and gold runway towards 2032 Olympic Games in Australia.”
The New South Wales (NSW) Government has recently completed an AUD$3.1 million upgrade to the Penrith Whitewater Stadium, including improvements to the whitewater course and venue infrastructure, to stage the World Championships.
The NSW Government has also decided to honour the Fox family for their contribution to the sport by announcing that the island in the heart of the home of Paddle Australia’s Canoe Slalom high-performance programme will now be known as the Fox Island.
“Hosting the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Canoe Slalom World Championships provides Paddle Australia with a unique opportunity to not only attract world-class talent down under and connect with the Australian public but will also provide a significant opportunity to attract new interest and talent into our pathway programmes,” Paddle Australia CEO Phil Jones said.
“Australia boasts current female Olympic champions Jess and Noemie Fox, who have already inspired more people to get involved in paddling. We’ve seen first hand what hosting international events in Australia can do in galvanising Australian fans and young people and that’s certainly our vision for the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships.
“Hosting the event would not be possible without the significant contribution from the NSW Government. Their continued support of Canoe Slalom in Australia and funding to help us deliver the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships as well as the facility upgrades to Penrith Whitewater Stadium, is making our vision a reality.”
Picture by Paddle Australia/Facebook.
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