Cat McArthur

Fast Facts

Sport: Canoe – Sprint
Event:  Kayak
Olympic History: Tokyo 2020
Highlights: Third in the K1 500 at the 2015 U23 World Championships
Coach: Anna Wood
Year Born: 1992
Country Born: Singapore

About Cat

Catherine ‘Cat’ McArthur grew up in Singapore and moved to Melbourne to go to boarding school. The South Australian Sports Institute athlete attended University in Adelaide and relocated to the Gold Coast to join the Queensland Academy of Sport National Women's Canoe Sprint Program. 

McArthur got her paddling start as a 16-year-old through a school sport program. A friend’s older sister was kayaking and McArthur wanted to follow in her footsteps. She paddled in a school team relay at the Murray Marathon. The challenge to see how far she could push herself is the reason why she pursued the sport. 

Between 2012-2015, McArthur represented Australia at the Under 23 World Championships and nabbed several top 10 results, including K1 500 bronze in 2015.  

In 2018, McArthur achieved a career highlight when she won K1 1000 bronze at the Duisburg (GER) World Cup. 

In 2020, McArthur helped Australia secure additional Tokyo 2020 quota positions when she and paddle partner Brianna Massie defeated New Zealand in the K2 500 at the Oceania Canoe Sprint Championships. 

McArthur secured her ticket to Tokyo by finishing fourth in the K1 500 at the 2020 Australian Canoe Sprint Championships and third in the K2 500.

Outside of paddling, McArthur is a part-time physiotherapist and pilates instructor. 

Cat made her Olympic debut at the delayed Tokyo 2020 games, in the Women's K-4 500m discipline. Paddling alongside her were fellow Australians; Jamie Roberts, Jo Brigden-Jones and Shannon Reynolds. 

The squad would remain competitive in the first two stages of the event, with advancements to the quarter and then semi-finals, with a best time of 1:36.407. In their semi-final race, they would edge of France to keep their medal hopes alive and advance to the A Finals. There they would achieve a time of 1:39.797, and an overall 7th placing at the event.