The International Canoe Federation is to team up with one of the world’s oldest competition slalom venues to pilot a sustainability project it hopes will become a blueprint for event organisers around the world.

The ICF will join with organisers of the canoe slalom world cup in Augsburg in July to road-test several sustainability initiatives, including waste management, utilising local products, and encouraging the use of bicycles and public transport.

Augsburg was the canoe slalom venue of the 1972 Munich Olympics, where the sport made its Games debut. It is still considered one of the world’s premiere slalom venues, and it will host the 2022 World Championships.

“It made a lot of sense for us to team up with Augsburg for this ground-breaking project,” ICF Secretary-General, Simon Toulson, said.

“Augsburg already holds such an important place in the history of canoe slalom. And now it is keen to take part in a project we all hope will help make venues more sustainable into the future.”

Hans Peter Pleitner, the President of Kanu Schwaben Augsburg’s organising committee, said his city is ready for the challenge.

“We have been regularly hosting some of the biggest canoe slalom events in the world for nearly 50 years,” he said.

“We know first-hand some of the challenges confronting an organiser, especially when it comes to providing a sustainable event which has great flow-on benefits for the local community.

“It’s fantastic to have been entrusted by the ICF to take part in this project. What we learn at the World Cup on July 6-8 will go towards ensuring the 2022 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships will be cutting edge when it comes to sustainability.”

Augsburg first hosted the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in 1957, and has hosted two more of the sport’s premiere events since.

The ICF, Augsburg World Cup organisers, athletes and representatives of the City of Augsburg came together this week to discuss initiatives for the project under the guidance of the AISTS (International Academy of Sport Science and Technology). The result of the discussion was a list of many concrete initiatives in the areas of food and water, transport and energy, social awareness and cost saving.

“Augsburg is very proud of its long association with canoe slalom and with the role it has played in developing the sport,” City of Augsburg’s Michael Senft said.

“Now we have an opportunity to help develop a blueprint which will benefit host venues around the world.

“Augsburg is looking forward to showing the leadership required in this very important area. Sustainability is not just about protecting the environment, it is also about providing a legacy for the local community and for generations to come.”

The pilot project will look to engage local schools, businesses and volunteers, and where possible will engage local producers.

The ICF is proud to play a leading role in the promotion of sustainable environmental, social and economic programs, and is already a proud partner of the annual “Paddle for the Planet” initiative highlighting the ongoing battle to keep our waterways pristine.

The 2018 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Augsburg will be contested over the weekend of July 6-8.

Augsburg sustainable project

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