Australian canoeist Jessica Fox has brought home the gold medal in the canoe slalom at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic games.
The 27-year-old won the C1 event yesterday after finishing 3.64 seconds clear of Britain's Mallory Franklin who placed second, with Germany's reigning world champion Andrea Herzog taking bronze.
Ms Fox also claimed the bronze medal in the K1 slalom final on Tuesday.
It's the first time a women's canoe slalom C1 event has been held at an Olympic games, replacing the men's C2 to give the sport gender parity.
A purpose built whitewater rafting centre to be built at Birkdale is the preferred venue for the canoe slalom at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic games, and Ms Fox said having a second facility in Australia would provide opportunities for athletes.
"It is something the kids, watching the Olympics today, could look forward to in a few years' time," she said.
"It's incredible to think of a new whitewater venue in Redlands Coast. It would be amazing for the sport, for the community, tourism and for the general public wanting to try something new."
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Her father Richard Fox who competed in canoe slalom for Great Britain from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s, said the Birkdale site would have major benefits for Redlands like the facility at Penrith built for the Sydney games in 2000 which continues to host international championships.
"We look at it as a huge asset for the sport to have two facilities in Australia," he said.
"These facilities, when well designed and managed, offer so much to their community. It will be available not only for elite training but also for younger people to learn on and rescue teams to do training. There are all the participation in the adventure precinct aspects and the preparation opportunities it presents,"
Mayor Karen Williams said Ms Fox's success in the canoe slalom was promising for Redlands.
"Jess is an elite sportsperson at the top of her game and she is proving to be an inspiration in Tokyo at the moment with her passion, her determination and drive," Cr Williams said.
"She is a role model for young people entering the sport. Imagine the next generation of canoeists training at the Redland Whitewater Centre; and then, maybe, representing their country at the 2032 Olympics here on Redlands Coast. How great would that be?"
Emily Lowe
Redland City Bulletin journalist covering community, politics, crime and human interest stories. Griffith University Alumni.
Redland City Bulletin journalist covering community, politics, crime and human interest stories. Griffith University Alumni.
