Kildare paddler Hendrick secures Olympic qualification berth

Ireland's first canoe slalom quota spot at Paris 2024 assured after impressive performance at World Championships in Lee Valley 

PADDLING TO PARIS: Robert Hendrick of Ireland in action in the Men's Canoe Slalom C1 heats at the Kolna Sports Centre during the European Games 2023 in Kraków, Poland. Photo by Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile

Kildare’s Robert Hendrick has qualified a quota spot for Team Ireland in Canoe Slalom at the 2023 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships at the Lee Valley White Water Centre on Friday. 

Competing in the Men’s C1 event, the 25-year-old from Clane, Co. Kildare finished 16th in the semi-finals. With twelve Olympic quota places available, and each nation only eligible to qualify for one spot, Hendrick’s finish secured ninth nation across the line.