ICF Canoe Sprint Committee activities

Stellar Super Cup 

The 2024 ICF Hangzhou Super Cup, held at the Fuyang Water Sports Centre in China, was a landmark event, with Canoe Sprint, Canoe Slalom, Canoe Marathon, Canoe Polo, and Dragon Boat, taking place at the same time. 

The venue that hosted the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games last year was highly appreciated for its excellent facilities and management. The Super Cup was no different as it welcomed the world's best paddlers, including Paris 2024 medallists.  

The work done by the high-level Chinese Canoe Association technical officials was brilliant and I would like to thank them for their excellent hospitality. The athletes who participated had a wonderful time and were able to experience the rich Chinese culture and traditions. For the first time, five disciplines were hosted simultaneously, bringing together the world of paddle sports, and paving the way for all-round development. 

Congress brings curtain down on year 

In November, the ICF Congress took place in Antalya, Turkey, where I reported on the success of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. It was possible thanks to excellent communications with the Paris 2024 Organising Committee. I expressed my sincerest thanks to Cyril Nivel, Canoe Sports Manager, and his team who made the Games a great one.  

I also reported that the maximum number of spectators in the grandstands in Paris was more than 22,000. Canoe Sprint gold medals went to four continents, showing the universal nature of the discipline. This year, the ICF appointed more than 130 International Technical Officials from 45 National Federations at seven major events. Under the motto of gender equity, all the ITOs from around the world worked very well. The ICF became one of the five International Federations to achieve gender equity in the number of ITOs at the Olympic Games.  

For LA28, the ICF has applied for two additional 5K events in Canoe Sprint to the IOC. It is not easy to get two additional events in the next Games, but we hope this application will be accepted. 

The Canoe Sprint Committee also organised an analysis and discussion for National Federation delegates on November 9, right after the Congress. Bálint Vékássy, Global Director of Events for the ICF, and I made a presentation about the new Olympic Games qualification system. The feedback from this meeting will be discussed with the Olympic Qualification Working Group.     

By Toshi Furuya, Canoe Sprint Committee Chair