A sponsorship extending legacy beyond the field of play 

25 years after Penrith Whitewater Stadium opened its doors to the world for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the world is returning to the iconic venue as part of the 2025 ICF Slalom World Championships.

A valued part of the local Penrith community, the Stadium has since gone on to produce some of Australia’s greatest Olympians, including proud Penrith locals and Olympic champions Jessica and Noemie Fox. 

As the world prepares to return to Penrith later this year, Paddle Australia and Penrith City Council are once again teaming up in what will be the biggest canoe slalom event in Australia since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. 

The two organisations have a strong legacy of working together, from the construction of the Penrith Whitewater Stadium (PWS) on the runway to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, to the annual national events held at both the PWS and Sydney International Regatta Centre venues.

Now, with another major international event knocking on Penrith’s door - the two organisations will be working together again to extend the legacy beyond the field of play into the City of Penrith.

A region renowned for its sporting prowess skyrocketed into international headlines last year, after Penrith’s own Jessica and Noemie Fox won every female canoe slalom gold medal on offer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games - if Penrith was a nation it would sit proudly in 29th on the Olympic medal tally.

12 months on from those iconic Olympic moments, the Fox sisters will have the opportunity to compete on their home turf with residents from the City of Penrith given the opportunity to see their local heroes go head to head with the world’s best. 

More than 300 athletes from 40 nations are expected to descend on Western Sydney for the 2025 ICF Slalom World Championships, with fans from across Sydney, the country and the world expected to travel to the Penrith region to see the best of the best in action, providing a strong boost to the local economy.

Paddle Australia President Andrew Trim OLY knows all too well the power of the Penrith community’s support for international sporting events, having won Olympic silver in canoe sprint at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

He said he’s proud to be collaborating with Penrith City Council again, as events of  this scale are not possible without the support of the local council and local community.

“There’s a history of major events in the region, obviously kick starting with Sydney 2000 and it’s nice to be bringing a major event back to Penrith, and it doesn’t happen without the support of the council,” Trim said.

“It’s not full circle, but it certainly brings a synergy back to Sydney - we’re 25 years later and it’s great that the same course that hosted the Olympic Games then can be used again for a competition at that level.

“I fully expect the local community to get behind it - the athletes that are competing now were babies in Sydney so it’s great to see them get the opportunity to race at home,” he said.

With just under 100 days to go until the world’s best arrive down under for the event, Trim said he’s looking forward to seeing the athletes racing at the 2025 ICF Slalom World Championships experience the same warmth and support he felt from the local community during the Sydney Games.

“We raced in Penrith a lot - all of our national titles were there, our selection for two Olympic Games were held in Penrith. Even though we’re a different discipline it’s still the same precinct, you can even paddle from one venue (Sydney International Regatta Centre) to the other (Penrith Whitewater Stadium),” Trim said.

“I have feelings of affection for the whole precinct…I also was originally a Slalom paddler when I started as a kid so I enjoy Slalom immensely but I was a better Sprinter so that’s where I ended up,” he joked.

“It’s wonderful that Penrith City Council are supporting our sport in such a way, and it allows us to bring the rest of the world to Penrith. We are lucky that Penrith is home to our world class athletes from Australia, and they are training there all the time.

“But all of a sudden we’re going to see world class athletes from the rest of the world descend on Penrith and that’s exciting stuff for us, it’s exciting for the council and I’m sure it will be exciting for the community.

“The support of Penrith City Council is incredible to have, and it will make for a great event,” he said.

Penrith City Council Mayor Todd Carney said: “This is the first time the international championships have been held in Australia since 2005, and Penrith is thrilled to be hosting the event in a world-class venue in our backyard.”

“Penrith is a proud sporting City and we are excited to welcome talent and spectators from around the world on 21 June. We’re expecting to have more than 300 athletes from 50 nations visit Penrith during the six-day event.”

“The World Championships present a fantastic opportunity to continue to put Penrith on the map – we invite all athletes and their friends and families to explore our beautiful City and Western Sydney.”

“This boost in tourism aligns with Council’s ongoing efforts to bring more visitors, events, investment opportunities, and further economic benefits to our growing City.”

“Penrith City Council is proud to be sponsoring the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships, a highly anticipated event that will see local and international canoe slalom and kayak stars shine on the water,” he said.

Head of the Host Organising Committee Richard Fox has seen first hand the legacy of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and looks forward to working together again with the Penrith City Council on the 2025 ICF Slalom World Championships.

“The Penrith City Council’s support of the 2025 World Championships means much more than a sponsorship arrangement - it’s a circle of life story for our sport. 

“In 1997 the International Canoe Federation, Australian Canoeing (as it was) and Penrith City Council were instrumental in ensuring the Whitewater Stadium was built to hold the canoe slalom events at Sydney 2000. 

“The City maintained and operated the venue for more than 20 years following the Olympics and it is wonderful that the Council has come on board to back the event as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sydney 2000 Olympics and everything that has happened in between.

“The City support will enable us to promote the event widely throughout the community, bringing a great experience to the Penrith region, and keeping us firmly on the map as a destination for major sporting events,” he said.

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