As the dust settles on the 2023 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships, Australia’s excitement is peaking for more than one reason.
The Australian Canoe Slalom team wrapped up their campaign with an impressive medal haul totalling two gold and one bronze, as well as seven top-10 places and three Olympic quotas for next years’ Paris Games.
The World Championships at the London 2012 Olympic venue also gave the Australians another reason to be excited, with the ICF flag officially passed from the London organisers to Paddle Australia, the hosts of the next event in October 2025.
The event from 1-6 October 2025 will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games at Penrith Whitewater Stadium. It is only the second time Australia will host the world championships after a previous event in 2005.
International Canoe Federation President Thomas Konietzko said London hosted a great event, and he’s looking forward to heading down under after next years’ Olympic Games.
“I think we have seen an extraordinary World Championships with great performances of our athletes,” Mr Konietzko said.
“It was a really good rehearsal for the Olympic Games next year. I think the Kayak Cross was so exciting and thrilled all the audiences.
“We can really look forward to improving our position in the Olympic movement next year, and even more looking forward to showing our part in Sydney 2025. I look forward to seeing a real celebration of our sport in Australia,” he said.
After enjoying her personal success and celebrations with the Australian team in London, world champion Jess Fox said she’s excited to welcome the international Slalom community to her own backyard in Penrith in two years time.
“It’s been an incredible week of competition here in London – we started with the team event where Australia was successful with a historic gold medal, and then personally to win bronze and gold was incredible,” Fox said.
“It’s been a wonderful event – the organisers, the atmosphere, the crowd was incredible.
“It’s really exciting for us to welcome the world to Penrith in 2025, to have all the athletes come back to the Olympic venue, which for me started my journey at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and the 2005 World Championships, so I am really excited for that.
“I would love to see a bigger crowd, I would love to see amazing competition and amazing athletes from all over the world really enjoying our city, enjoying our venue and inspiring our community,”
Planning and preparations for the 2025 World Championships are underway following a $3.1m venue upgrade by the NSW Government at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium.
The Sydney 2000 Olympic venue is reopening to the public for rafting, while the 2024 Oceania Championships from 26-28 January, will kick off the international season ahead of the Paris Olympic Games.
