SA canoe athletes, including one still battling cancer, selected for 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games team
An SA-based athlete who is still in the process of overcoming a five-year battle with cancer is one of three locals who have earned selection for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Ex-World No.1 lacrosse player’s return home amid coronavirus
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
In among the gloom of the coronavirus pandemic three SA canoe athletes — including one still battling cancer — can pack their bags for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.
West Lakes Canoe Club members Josie Bulmer and Bernadette Wallace together with SA-born Catherine McArthur will make their Games’ debut in 2021.
The Australian Olympic Committee eased uncertainty about their selections and named them in the team on Friday.
The trio’s selection came days after the International Olympic Committee made the unprecedented decision to postpone the Olympics until mid-next year as the world grappled with the coronavirus outbreak.
Wallace, who has had her battles with an ongoing cancer treatment for the past five years, said she was thrilled and relieved.
“I am just relieved but on so many fronts that people appear to be adhering to the message from the Government to do the right thing,” Wallace said.
“Josie and I have been living in this uncertainty for about a season and a half but we are confident we can get through this.
“I am grateful we are getting this piece of news. I feel for everyone around the world doing it tough – we will get through this.”
For Bulmer and Wallace their selection is also groundbreaking.
Their event, the C2 500m, will be the first women’s sprint canoeing event held at an Olympic Games.
“I am so relieved and very excited,” Bulmer said.
“In the current climate we didn’t know what was going to happen.
“It is so surreal.
“I am just proud and very happy to make the team and to be with Bernie on the team.
“Even with the Games postponed there are still many positives.
“It really is best for humanity and for us it gives us much more time to prepare.
“We can still train but just two people at a time and be aware of the social distancing.
“Now we can just plan and wait for things to get better but now we have an idea of where we are heading.’’
McArthur, who is SA-born and still competing in events for the state but living on the Gold Coast, says it is a huge load lifted.
“It will be pretty special going forward,” McArthur said.
The trio is part of the SA Sports Institute program.
The team is expected to train remotely for the next few months before working out the next step.