After countless hours of training and thousands of kilometres paddled, it will all come down to just seconds when Australia’s canoe sprint, canoe slalom and para canoe athletes line up at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Paddle Australia is taking viewers behind the scenes preparing for the Games in a one hour documentary, ‘Paddle to Paris’, to be shown live and free on Channel 9 on Sunday 14 July.
Australia’s success on the global stage is undeniable, with the 2024 Paris Games to feature some of the biggest names in the sport including triple Olympic medallist Jess Fox (canoe slalom), triple Paralympic gold medallist Curtis McGrath (para canoe) and Tokyo Olympic gold medallists Tom Green and Jean van der Westhuyzen (canoe sprint).
Over the years Australia has won 8 gold, 10 silver and 15 bronze Olympic & Paralympic medals, and with a team of 18 assembled for the Paris Games, they are on track to create more history.
Narrated by triple Olympian and Olympic silver and bronze medallist Andrew Trim (President Paddle Australia), Paddle to Paris will show more than just what happens on the water and in the gym, taking viewers into the everyday life of the team and who the athletes are as the worlds best paddlers and people.
From a day at work with Queensland firefighter Aly Bull, at home with new mum Alyce Wood, and spending down time with close knit brothers Jean and Pierre van der Westhuyzen – this documentary showcases the people behind the results.
Canoe slalom’s ‘greatest of all time’ Jess Fox will share her journey to her fourth Olympics alongside mum and coach Myriam and sister Noemie, who has had her own battles to overcome in a bid to make her first Olympic Games.
In canoe sprint, defending Olympic champions Green and van der Westhuyzen showcase the challenges and journey they’ve been on as they contend with a new Olympic distance in the men’s K2 in a bid to take back to Olympic gold medals. And introduces fans to a host of new Olympic debutants across the women’s and men’s K4.
The dynamic trio of McGrath, Dylan Littlehales and Susan Seipel in the para canoe team, talk about their journey together since para canoe was introduced at the Games in 2016. While McGrath and Seipel have both podiums at their last two Games, Littlehales opens up about his personal journey to get the elusive medal, coming into the 2024 Games in career best form.
The one hour documentary will be shown live and free on Channel 9 on Sunday 14 July at 1:00pm (NSW/QLD) and 2:00pm (VIC/SA/WA).
Click here for trailer.
2024 Olympic & Paralympic Team
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