The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has welcomed today’s joint announcement by the Australian and New South Wales Governments of a combined $3.2 million in funding for Paddle Australia to host the 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships.
Penrith Whitewater Stadium, a legacy venue from the Sydney 2000 Games, will host the World Championships from 1-6 October 2025, another event on the Green and Gold Runway to Brisbane 2032.
Penrith Whitewater Stadium is Paddle Australia’s high-performance base, where paddlers from juniors and developmental pathway athletes to Olympic champions hone their craft.
The World Championships will attract around 300 competitors from 50 nations to contest 10 medal events, with an estimated 20,000 supporters.
AOC CEO Matt Carroll welcomed today’s announcement.
“Thank you to the Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells, the Australian Government, Premier Minns and the New South Wales Government for supporting Paddle Australia to deliver a world class event in New South Wales on the Green and Gold Runway,” Mr Carroll said.
“Sydney 2000’s Olympic legacy continues to live on, with the canoe slalom venue again hosting the world’s best paddlers.
“Congratulations to Paddle Australia and the International Canoe Federation for bringing this event to Australia, to showcase Australia as a leading sporting host.
“We saw in Paris the inspirational impact our athletes can have on Australians of all ages, and I look forward to more Australians to have the chance to connect with our athletes in person at events on the Green and Gold Runway and be inspired to “Have a go” at Olympic sport.”
Australian Olympic champion, IOC Athlete’s Commission member and AOC Executive member Jess Fox said she was thrilled at the opportunity for Penrith to host the world in 2025.
“Following Australia’s most successful Olympic Games ever in Paris, we are excited to welcome the world’s best slalom paddlers to Penrith Whitewater Stadium in 2025,” she said.
“We have seen at recent World Championships and Olympic Games, how much fans enjoy our sport with packed crowds creating a wonderful atmosphere. We know Penrith is primed to provide fans of our sport and Western Sydney locals with that same incredible atmosphere.
“I remember being a six-year-old in the stands for Sydney 2000 and an 11-year-old in the stands when the World Championships were here in 2005, so to have that legacy 20, 25 years on, for me it means so much.”
