The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
From Crieff to Rio:
Hard work pays off as Pennie gets nod for Rio Games
Perthshire canoeist Fiona Pennie has been officially selected to compete at next year’s Olympic Games after she was one of four slalom athletes named by the British Olympic Association (BOA). Pennie represented Great Britain at Beijing in 2008 but failed to qualify for London four years ago.
represented Team GB at London – silver medallists Florence and Richard Hounslow, who are paired again in the men’s canoe double (C2) event.
Hounslow also teamed up with Florence to win C2 World Championships gold in 2013.
Florence, who will also race in the men’s canoe single (C1) event, is a double Olympic medallist having taken C1 silver at Beijing 2008 and is the first canoe slalom athlete to be selected for three successive Olympic Games.
Joe Clarke from Stoke-on-Trent will compete in the men’s K1.
British slalom canoeists have claimed seven medals over the last six Olympic Games – one gold, five silver and one bronze – since the sport was introduced at Barcelona 1992.
On home waters at London 2012, Team GB came away with its first canoe slalom gold, following a podium onetwo, with Etienne Stott and Tim Baillie taking the win over Florence and Hounslow by just 0.36 seconds.
Team GB chef de mission, Mark England, said: “We are delighted to welcome four slalom canoeists to Team GB for Rio, bringing the current total of selected athletes to 12.
“I am delighted that we are today able to announce that David, Richard, Fiona and Joe will be competing at the new, purpose built canoe slalom venue in Deodoro at the Rio 2016 Olympics.”
Florence said: “I’ve thought a lot about Rio in the years since the London 2012 Games and I’ve been desperate to get the chance to compete there.
“To finally know that I have my place at the 2016 Olympics is so exciting. I can’t wait to get out there for the first time and I’m looking forward to giving my all over the next 10 months.”