Irish athlete Jenny Egan has proudly represented her country on the international stage for an impressive two decades. Yet, outside her athleticism, Jenny is a fierce advocate for increasing the visibility of women in sport.
We sat down with Jenny on the Her Sport Show to hear more about her impressive athletic career and uncover the moments that have shaped her journey.
Jenny’s journey began at the tender age of three when she first sat in a canoe by herself. Canoeing is a passion that runs deep in her family as her parents were keen canoeists and her mother even canoed while pregnant with her. Growing up in a canoeing family, with a brother, Peter, who is also a national canoeist for Ireland, Egan’s connection to the sport became a pivotal part of her identity.
Her early experiences marked the start of an extraordinary career. By the age of eight, she had her first race in Nottingham, England, and as a teenager, she achieved the title of u14 British national sprint and marathon champion. At 16, Egan made a crucial decision to focus on canoeing, setting her on a path that would see her represent Ireland in the sport since 2003. Her dedication has led to multiple accolades, including World Championship, World Cup, and European Championship medals.
To this day, Jenny Egan stands as the only Irish male or female athlete to clinch an International Canoe Federation (ICF) Senior Canoe Sprint World Championship medal, a Senior Canoe Sprint European Championship medal, and ICF Senior Canoe Sprint World Cup medals.
WOW I am still pinching myself, I am a SENIOR CANOE SPRINT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BRONZE MEDALIST WAHOO 😃🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
I am so happy to have gotten Ireland on the medal table for the FIRST time at a Senior Canoe Sprint World Championships ❤ 📷 Carolyn Cooper #Jantex @nelokayaks pic.twitter.com/qaB7OZscHz— Jenny Egan (@Jenny_Egan) August 28, 2018
Jenny’s influence, however, extends beyond the water’s edge. Egan is also an advocate for increasing the visibility of women in sports. Serving as the only athlete representative on the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Steering Committee, she actively contributes to initiatives promoting gender equality. Egan is also one of the 20 female athletes selected for the 20×20 campaign, a groundbreaking initiative aiming for a 20% increase in media coverage of women’s sports, female participation, and attendance at women’s sports events.
“We’re not just talking about women in sport, we’re talking about sport. Talking about sport should incorporate women and men. It’s about changing how society thinks – not just women supporting women but also men supporting women and helping them to achieve and vice versa.”
Her support system is rooted in her family, with her father, Tom Egan, as her team leader, brother Peter involved as a coach, and husband Jon Simmons contributing through his work with Canoeing Ireland as a national development coach and with Salmon Leap.
“I wouldn’t be standing on the podium winning these medals if I didn’t have my support team around me. These are not my medals, these are our medals.”
Honoured and proud to have qualified and competed in my 3rd European Games with @TeamIreland 🇮🇪
Thanks to @JonMackey14 @CanoeingIreland and all of @TeamIreland @sportireland for your continued help and support 😊 pic.twitter.com/FJOXDRK97n— Jenny Egan (@Jenny_Egan) July 8, 2023
Jenny Egan’s commitment to her sport, combined with her advocacy for gender equality, highlights her influence as a trailblazing canoeist and dedication to playing her part in creating a more inclusive and equitable sporting landscape.
Watch the full interview with Jenny here:
Egan would like to thank Canoeing Ireland, Sport Ireland, Silverhatch Agency, the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Salmon Leap Canoe Club for their continued support.