Olympic medallist hopes to extend success in World Life Saving

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Queensland Olympians are hoping to extend their success in Paris, at another sporting stage on home turf. Thousands of athletes are on the gold coast for the world lifesaving championships to be held across the next fortnight.

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00:00From the podium in Paris, to the world stage in his backyard.

00:07Riley Fitzsimmons is swapping the kayak for a surf ski, in the hopes to back up his Olympic

00:12medal success at the World Surf Life Saving Championships.

00:16It's probably been 20 years almost I've been in Surf Life Saving.

00:19It's like riding your favourite bike, so yeah, once I get back in the surf ski I'll feel

00:24right at home.

00:27It's just one of Australia's Olympians who will compete over the next 17 days.

00:32It is quite special to have it in our own backyard here on the Gold Coast, you know

00:36we train in these conditions all the time, so it's going to be very, very cool to showcase

00:41this to the rest of the world.

00:42With events in the sand, surf and pool, athletes are keen to prove themselves.

00:48Including fledgling countries like Argentina, where just getting here is half the battle.

00:53We pay every single penny of the trip, we pay the plane, we pay the stay, we pay everything.

01:01That's why, because for us it's very difficult, but this difficulty is like empowering.

01:09This is the biggest competition for Surf Life Saving worldwide, attracting around 5,000

01:14competitors from more than 40 countries.

01:16It's the first time it's been held on the Gold Coast in 36 years, estimated to boost

01:21the local economy by $19 million.

01:25But it's not all about accolades.

01:27Invictus Australia, an organisation who supports veterans through sporting rehabilitation,

01:33has doubled the size of their team since their debut last championships.

01:37Our connection is pretty much giving people a voice and an opportunity just to share their

01:43experiences and be involved, have a space that they can go to when they feel like there's

01:51nowhere else to go.

01:52Jessica Lamb, ABC News, Gold Coast.

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