Canoe Slalom Coverage Wins IOC Award

Robin Bell - Our most successful Slalom Athlete in Athens

The Athens Olympic Broadcasting (AOB) won Bronze Rings - Best Sports Coverage of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games by the host broadcasting organisation, for its telecast of the Canoe Slalom event.

Announced on Tuesday by the IOC Honorary President for Life, Juan Antonio Samaranch, at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, the Canoe Slalom coverage was one of around 30 films from various countries presented to the international jury. 

National Performance Director, Australian Canoeing, Richard Fox, says Canoe Slalom was one of the most popular 2004 Olympic Games events amongst viewers around the world. “The vision of the athletes powering through the thundering whitewater showed off Canoe Slalom as an exciting and adrenalin-packed spectator sport. Around 148 nations viewed the Men’s K1 Final – the third highest viewed sport of the Games.

“It is great to see Canoe Slalom contributing to an important international award, such as the IOC Golden Rings. I hope this recognition helps build the profile of canoeing, as it is an activity that anyone can take part in, from beginners to elite professionals like the athletes on the 2004 Australian Olympic Team,” Richard continued.  

“The Australian community will have the opportunity to see Canoe Slalom up-close next year, when the same athletes that competed at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games come to the Penrith Whitewater Stadium for the 2005 International Canoe Federation (ICF) Canoe Slalom World Championships in September-October.

“The biggest Canoe Slalom event following the Games, the World Championships will attract 400 of the best athletes from 80 nations, including our Australian medal hopefuls - Robin Bell who finished fourth at the 2004 Olympics and second at the 1999 World Championships, Louise Natoli who finished 7^th at the 2004 Olympics and Warwick Draper who finished 9^th.”