The wasteland that thrived with sport

What could have become a wasteland post Sydney Olympics has turned into a thriving tourist sport destination. Penrith Whitewater rafting is just one of the many adventure sports on offer at the International Regatta Centre that hosted the whitewater slalom, rowing and flat water sprint at the 2000 Olympics. It was set up by the Penrith City Council. “It was always the aim that this would be something for the people after the Olympics,” Penrith Whitewater marketing coordinator Simonetta Lo Po’ told The Daily Telegraph. “We are the only rafting in Sydney and we are the only man-made course in the southern hemisphere. It’s more local but people come from all over the world to train here.” essica Fox, who picked up silver at the London Olympics, is one of the regulars at the facility. And the international junior world championships were also recently held here. The facility is open 10 months of the year, closing for the cooler months of July and August. On average 20,000 visitors make use of ...more