Aly Bull, Alyce Wood and Riley Fitzsimmons will contest their third Games, with Aly and Alyce equalling the most Australian Olympic appearances for Australia for sprint canoe women with Anna Wood (1992-2000).

Tokyo Olympic champions Tom Green and Jean van der Westhuyzen return for their second Olympic experience, while Ally Clarke, Yale Steinepreis, Ella Beere, Noah Havard, Pierre van der Westhuyzen and Jackson Collins will all make their Olympic debuts, with Jackson continuing the legacy of his four-time Olympian paddler father Daniel Collins.

Alyce Wood will take on the women’s K1 500m, with Aly, Ally, Yale and Ella the K4 500m.

On the men’s side Tokyo Olympic K2 1000m champions Tom and Jean van der Westhuyzen will contest the revised distance of K2 500m in Paris, with Green also contesting the K1 1000m, while Riley, Noah, Pierre and Jackson will take on the K4 500m.

Taking the selected Australian Olympic Team size to 25 of an expected final team of 460 to 480 athletes, the 11-strong sprint canoe team is the largest to be announced to represent Australia in Paris so far.

The team boasts a wealth of international experience, with all 11 athletes having achieved podium results at World Championship or World Cup level – including silver for the women’s K4 and bronze for the men’s K2 at the 2022 World Championships.

The team was announced by four-time Olympian and Deputy Chef de Mission Bronwen Knox at the Canoe Sprint National Championships, with hundreds of competitors from juniors to masters celebrating the athletes’ milestone.

“Congratulations to the eleven athletes selected today to continue Australia’s incredible Olympic legacy in canoe sprint,” Ms Knox said.

“From returning Olympic champions, brothers, three three-time Olympians and six debutants, this is a team that will represent Australia with pride.

“To make one Games is a special achievement, but to make three is a rare feat and a testament to Aly, Alyce and Riley’s dedication to excellence over their careers.

“Thank you to Paddle Australia, the coaches, families and friends who have supported these athletes on their Olympic journeys.”

Queenslander Alyce Wood returns to the Olympic arena with a new supporter – with two-year old daughter Florence a welcome addition to the Wood family cheer squad. Alyce secured Australia a quota in the women’s K1 finishing fifth at the 2023 World Championships, less than a year after returning to competition.

“This Olympics is absolutely different - I’ve said from the start since coming back that no matter what happens, I’m really happy,” Alyce said. “So to have made it, and have Florence cheering me on, and to have her there at the finish line no matter how good or bad I go, it makes it all worth it.

Eleven canoe sprint paddlers selected for Australian Olympic Team in largest Team selection to date