A DUNFERMLINE canoeist is set to make history after she was selected to compete at the upcoming Olympic Games.

Katie Reid, who was born in the town but is now based in Nottingham, will become the first female C1 canoe sprint paddler to represent Great Britain as the event makes its Olympic debut at this summer's games in Tokyo.

A former Scottish karate champion, Katie made the move into the sport seven years ago after being selected for the 'Girls 4 Gold' training programme.

She has earned her spot in the team following notification from the International Canoe Federation that Team GB would be allocated a quota place in the WC1 200 metres for Tokyo, with the place reallocated following a countback from the 2019 Canoe Sprint World Championships.

Speaking to British Canoeing, Katie said: "I am over the moon to be representing Team GB at the Olympic Games.

"I can’t wait for the adventure. Now I am going, I can’t wait to go out there and give it my all.

"It is a great honour to represent women’s canoe with it being the first time it has been in the Olympic Games. It is such a fast progressing sport, so it is really exciting to be part of that group taking it on for the first time and I am really grateful to be that person representing Team GB.

"My coach James Train has put so much work in over the last few years and this is his spot as much as it is mine. We come as a team and a partnership. I can’t wait for him to see me race.

"I had a little taste of TeamGB in Minsk at the European Games in 2019 and I just can’t believe I get to represent Team GB at this level. You dream of it as a kid, and to be here right now I am very proud."

In April, Katie claimed victory in the women's C1 200m at the sprint and paracanoe national selection event in Nottingham, which secured her a spot at May's ICF European selection event in Szeged, Hungary.

Paul Ratcliffe, Performance Director for British Canoeing, added: "This news was unexpected but we are delighted to be able to nominate Katie Reid to Team GB for Tokyo. 

"Katie and her coach James Train have worked so hard for the Games and after the disappointment of the qualification events in May, it will now be inspiring to see our first ever women’s canoe sprint athlete compete in the inaugural WC1 200m event at the Games."