SYOG: The Ones to Watch

The Youth Olympic Games has received such praise and positivity in all corners. Thanks to the super-efficient organisation, the infectious enthusiasm of the 20,000-strong network of volunteers and the fun Culture and Education Programmes, the first ever YOG seems a storming success already.

But who are the Ones to Watch?

Tony watches over the athletes on the Starting Ramps
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Tony watches over the athletes on the Starting Ramps

Having been on the course with the athletes, Canoeing's Athlete Role Model, Tony Estanguet said he is expecting strong performances from Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Australia. We will of course be looking out for a few athletes who have done well in this year's Canoe Slalom Junior World Championships and European Championships and Canoe Sprint Junior European Championships.

Starting with Canoe Slalom specialists, Slovenia's Simon Brus who won a convincing silver medal in the Men's K1 at the 2010 ICF Canoe Slalom Junior World Championships, will be revving up the competition. As will Australia's golden girl, Jessica Fox. A superb year for her, Jess has performed well throughout the Senior World Cup series and took both K1 and C1 gold at the Canoe Slalom Junior Worlds. All eyes will be on her when Canoe Slalom kicks off on Tuesday 24th.

Canoe Sprint and Canoe Slalom Specialists Will Compete in both Disciplines

Jessica Fox looking confident on the starting ramp
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Jessica Fox looking confident on the starting ramp

Other SYOG athletes from the Canoe Slalom Women's K1 category performed well in the Canoe Slalom Junior European Championships. The Czech Republic's Pavlina Zasterova won a silver medal at the event held in Markkleeberg, Germany just two weeks ago. In the same race, Austria's Viktoria Wolffhardt won a respectable 5th place.

In the Canoe Sprint races, Russia's Igor Kalashnikov won a respectable 5th place in the Men's K1 1000m in this year's Canoe Sprint Junior European Championships, which was held less than three weeks ago. Keeping up the Hungarian appearance will be Sandor Totka, he took 5th place in the K2 1000m in the same competition, which was held in Moscow.

Moving to the Women's Canoe Sprint specialists, Hungary, Russia and Poland all have strong athletes racing this weekend. Representing Hungary, Ramona Farkasdi took first place in her K2 at the Junior European Championships and is clearly at the top of her game. A fact not lost on competitior, Kerry Segal from South Africa who told the ICF, Ramona is the one to watch. Also racing in the K2, arriving in 5th place was Poland's Joanna Bruska. In the K1, Russia's Natalia Podolska won a respectable 4th place in the K1 500m.

The Canoe Sprint time trials start tomorrow at 8.30, Singapore time (GMT+8) with finals on Sunday 22nd from 3pm.

Canoe Slalom Time Trials begin on Tuesday 24th at 8.30 with the finals on Wednesday 25th from 3pm.

 
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