London 2012 Olympic Slalom Canoe-Kayak
Olympic canoe and kayak events have been a part of the Olympic Games
since 1936. The canoe and kayak Olympic events have been considered a
popular sport since the first whitewater slalom canoe racing gained the
public's attention in 1933. Slalom canoe and kayak racing had become an
international sport by 1949 when this racing sport held its first world
championship. The current governing body for the international sport of
flat water and whitewater racing is the International Canoe Federation
established in 1924. Members of the International Canoe Federation often
qualify to represent their countries of origin in the Olympics.
The International Canoe Federation governs the racing qualifications for both flat water and whitewater racing. The slalom events for London 2012 Olympic slalom canoe/kayak
events will include the men's Kayak One (K1), Canoe One (C1) and Canoe
Two (C2) and woman's Kayak One (K1). The number denotes the number of
athlete paddlers in the canoe or kayak during the event. At this time,
the standard competition format for canoe/kayak events is considered the
definitive event format for the London 2012 Olympic slalom canoe/kayak
competitions. London 2012 Olympic slalom canoe and kayak events will
consist of two heats per entrant to determine semifinalists. The number
of canoes or kayaks in each Olympic phase will be according to
International Canoe Federation competition rules. Winners for the
semifinals will result from the combined sum of their times and any
penalties accrued from the two runs. Semifinal winners will then compete
for London 2012 Olympics medals in the final heat.
In 2008, it was decided that the London 2012 Olympics White Water Canoe
Center will be built in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. Broxbourne will host
the canoe and kayak slalom events during the 2012 Olympics and after the
games the venue is planned to become a sporting facility dedicated to
canoeing and white-water rafting. Broxbourne officials hope the success
of the London 2012 Olympics will generate world interest in keeping this
venue as major competition facility for elite sporting events.
Planned venues in Broxburne for the London 2012 Olympics include the
Olympic standard 300-meter course for whitewater rafting. Builders plan
to complete the Olympic canoe/kayak center venue by 2010-2011 with
enough time to allow for 2012 Olympics games training and qualification
runs. This new artificial white water course will be constructed using a
series of pumps and it will include a warm-up course for Olympians. The
facility building planned will include a reception area, changing
rooms, viewing facilities, and operational facilities for the water pump
and filtration required for the manufactured course. The complete
Olympic facility will host up to 12000 spectators during the London 2012
Olympics.
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Comments
Canoe-Kayak competitors deserve a great deal of recognition. This is a sport that is extremely grueling physically. I'm looking forward to the London Olympic Games!
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