Australian women win kayaking gold at London 2012 Olympic venue

Noemie Fox, a member of the Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Working Group, has won gold with teammates Jessica (Jess) Fox and Kate Eckhardt at the 2023 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships held at Lee Valley, the London 2012 Olympic venue.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams congratulated Noemie and her teammates on their win in the Women’s Kayak Team event, wishing them well in their journey to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“It was wonderful to see Noemie and her teammates, who we know worked incredibly hard in the lead-up to the World Championships, bring home the gold,” Cr Williams said.

“We congratulate them on their exciting win at the Olympic venue in London and wish them well in their journey towards competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics next year.

“Noemie capped off a weekend of racing with a personal best of eighth in the Kayak Cross event.

“For Redlanders, Noemie’s win feels even more special, as she plays an important part in our city’s Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Working Group.

“The working group will help ensure our city’s role in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a Junior Games Partner provides a robust legacy for the community.

“For Noemie to win gold at the London 2012 whitewater Olympic venue makes her position as a legacy adviser for Redlands Coast even more fitting.”

Noemie said training and racing at the London 2012 Olympic venue was a great opportunity.

“The energy and atmosphere was amazing, and I am so happy our team held out to take the gold,” Noemie said.

“Having spectated at the London 2012 Games and now racing at the Worlds, it’s incredible to see how the Olympics has left a lasting legacy with great opportunities and engagement for the community.

“Many of the British competitors were inspired by the London Games, taking up the sport soon after, and there is a real sense of pride in the opportunities the venue has provided for the local community over the years.

“It’s really motivating knowing that we have an opportunity to do the same and inspire generations to come with Brisbane 2032.”

Cr Williams said Jess Fox also deserved special mention and congratulations for her perform at the World Championships.

“Jess achieved her 14th World Championship gold at Lee Valley – the same venue where she won her first Olympic medal,” Cr Williams said.

“What makes Jess’s achievement even more special is that 10 of those titles are for individual golds across all three Canoe Slalom disciplines – Canoe, Kayak and Kayak Cross.

“To top it off, Jess’s performance has paved the way for her to compete for Australia at Paris 2024.”

Birkdale Community Precinct incorporates the Redland Whitewater Centre, the proposed Canoe Slalom event venue for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which was confirmed in the Brisbane 2032 Master Plan during the candidature process.