The 2023 ICF Canoe Marathon World Cup in Ruse, Bulgaria, will provide a great legacy for the region, according to Mayor Pencho Milkov.

The world cup will be held in the Bulgarian city from June 2-4. Mayor Milkov told a media conference the event will be a major boost for his city and the region.

“I would like to thank the ICF for the trust it has placed in us to host this event,” Mayor Milkov said.

“A competition at the ICF level will revive canoeing in the area and will leave a great legacy. We have already started renovating facilities around the lake and the sport club.”

ICF President Thomas Konietzko said it is always exciting to take the sport of canoeing to a new venue.

“I want to thank the Municipality of Ruse and the Bulgarian Canoe Federation for staging this world cup, and also for hosting our ICF canoe marathon committee meeting,” Mr Konietzko said.

The building where the press conference took place was used to host the Ukrainian junior team for three months in 2022 after the Russian invasion.

The Ruse world cup will be a valuable lead-up event to the 2023 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships, which will be held in Vejen, Denmark, from August 31 to September 3.