Rio dream a reality

NSWIS paddlers Jessica Fox, Lucien Delfour and Ian Borrows have had their Rio dreams turned into reality following selection to the 2016 Australian Olympic Team.

The canoe slalom trio earned a berth following the final selection event last weekend in Penrith, with Delfour and Borrows set to make their Olympic debut in Rio.

Fox, selected in the women’s K1, famously won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and will now target one spot higher on the podium.

“Gold is the next logical step, but it’s not that simple,” Fox said to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).

“When I arrive at Rio I want to be as best prepared as possible."

Delfour won through in the men’s K1 after a tough battle against Jaxon Merritt, and is now looking forward to making his Olympic debut.

“It’s a big honour, I’m proud and excited to wear the uniform," Delfour said to the AOC.

Borrows said the dream of competing at the Olympic Games has powered him since 2012, taking inspiration from his fellow athletes along the way.

“It’s been my goal for the last four years to make it on the team," Borrows said to the AOC.

“Watching Robin Bell win bronze in Beijing (2008 Games) was amazing. You learn from them.”

The canoe slalom trio joins Eloise Wellings as the first four NSWIS athletes selected to the 2016 Australian Olympic Team.

Alongside the Olympic selections, the 2016 Australian U23 and senior teams were announced ahead of this year’s international competitions.

Fox headlines the U23 team alongside sister Noemie, with the duo to contest the U23 Slalom World Championships later this year in Poland.

The Fox sisters will also compete on the World Cup circuit as part of the senior Australian team, with fellow NSWIS athletes Delfour, Ian Borrows, Alison Borrows and Ethan Hodson.