International Canoe Federation

Canoe as a sport is not associated with indigenous cultures; it is a recent by-product of 19th-century industrial society, when an emerging middle class with wealth sought a variety of physical pastimes. Today this might be referred to as recreation or when taken to an extreme, as sport.

Since Canoe Sprint became a full medal event at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, its position as an Olympic sport has remained secure. In 1948 women’s events were added to the programme. Over time, the events have changed and adapted in order to improve its overall standing and follow trends and boat technological advances. On the whole, Europe has dominated the sport, winning over 90% of all available medals. Canoe Sprint currently has 12 official events in the Olympic Games. For more information click here.

Canoe Slalom began in Switzerland in 1932 and was modelled on ski slalom. In its early days, it was first performed on flat water, but later switched to whitewater. World War II caused a significant decline in the development of the sport so it was not until 1949 that Canoe Slalom would have its first World Championships. At the Olympic Games, Canoe Slalom made its debut at the 1972 Munich Games at the now famous course in Augsburg. After a 20-year hiatus, Canoe Slalom was reintroduced to the Olympics in 1992. Expanding in popularity, elaborate manmade courses have been constructed around the world, allowing the organisers to have greater control over the flow of the water and provide more exciting races. Canoe Slalom currently has four events in the Olympic Games. For more information click here.