Emma Wiggs MBE is one of four athletes who have been elected to the ICF Athletes’ Committee as athlete representatives for 2025-2029.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be voted on. I think it’s a really important thing that we have athletes’ voices in the decision-making process and being able to provide feedback to the people who make the decisions at the ICF,” said Wiggs.
Three-time Paralympic gold medallist Wiggs will help to ensure that policies, competitions, and long-term strategies reflect the needs, values, and voices of those who live paddlesport every day.
“I will promote Paracanoe and give it the platform that it deserves, trying to make this world and these environments as universally accessible as we can, so that Paracanoe athletes feel part of it.
“It’s about trying to embrace difference and diversity, and make the world and our sport more universally accessible.
“I think it’s been really different for me to witness the other side being on the water this week,” added Emma, who recently joined the commentary team at the 2025 Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships in Milan, Italy.
“I’ve been able to interact with my colleagues who are here paddling, probably more freely than I would have been if I had been racing myself.
“I’m really excited to be able to hopefully be a voice for them and also to be back on the startlines with them.”
Emma is joined in her role by Katie Vincent of Canada, Sebastian Brendal of Germany, and Eslam Jahedi of Iran.
Four more places will be awarded later this year, two from Canoe Slalom and another two from non-Olympic disciplines, with gender parity guaranteed.