ICF Paracanoe Committee activities

Looking ahead to LA28 

The new ICF Paracanoe Committee for the 2024-2028 term will begin its work quickly with some critical issues coming forward.  Chief amongst those is the request for event submissions from the International Paralympic Committee for the LA28 Games.   

The deadline for submission is February 17, 2025 with an expectation that the IPC will make an announcement about the events that will be included in June, 2025. 

The ICF Paracanoe Committee will also bring forward a consultation with the Paracanoe community on a world ranking system which can be used for qualification for the Paralympic Games. World ranking systems are used by many sports for Paralympic Games qualification. The ICF has consulted with the IPC and other sports, including Para triathlon, Para fencing and boccia, in the development of ideas and processes. 

Classificaiton 

The IPC has upgraded its Athlete Classification Code. This will require some modifications for the ICF Athlete Classification Code. Nothing will affect actual classification protocols. Changes are of an administrative nature. Examples are data management, conflicts of interest, rules for classifiers, misrepresentation and classifier education and training systems. These changes will be effecting over a two-year period.  

Marathon racing 

Finally, next year will be the first time where official Para races will feature at the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships which will take place in Gyor, Hungary.  

These events include 6.8km for KL1 and VL1 and 10.2km for KL2, VL2, KL3 and VL3.  

Open class events have also been approved, allowing athletes with upper limb impairments, short stature, intellectual impairments, leg length difference, visual impairment, hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis to race for medals.  

By John Edwards, Chair of the ICF Paracanoe Committee