Paddlers earn Olympic nomination

NSWIS canoe slalompaddlers Jessica Fox, Lucien Delfour and Ian Borrows have all earned nomination to the Australian Olympic Team following the Oceania Championships.

Fox’s nomination comes in the women’s K1 after she triumphed in both selection races, finishing as the top Australian in the qualifying run over the weekend to stake her claim for a spot in Rio.

“It’s kind of a bit of shock, it hasn’t sunk in yet,” Fox said to Australian Canoeing (AC) after the win.

“It’s been a big couple of weeks. In the lead-up you can really feel the tension, you can feel this is the big event, so it was really good to perform today."

Delfour’s selection came down to the third selection trial, with the French Polynesian-born athlete prevailing by 0.68 seconds in the Olympic decider over Jaxon Merritt.

“I am really happy, I feel like I deserve it but I am just really relieved,” Delfour said post-race to AC.

“It has been a really long wait, especially those last two months, it was just all about Rio."

Borrow’s nomination in the men’s C1 comes on the back of a mixed 2015 season that saw him miss out on competing for Australia. After finishing as the top Australian in two of three selection races the 26 year old is now on the verge of making his Olympic debut.

“I just tried to put the work in, and it’s now paid off. I just hope when the time comes I can do Australia proud and do the best I can,” Borrows said.