Twenty-five years ago, Mike Knopp had a vision.
Standing beside what he describes as "essentially a ditch", the Founder of Riversport imagined Oklahoma City one day becoming a global destination for paddlesport.
At the time, few would have believed him.
Today, thousands of fans line the banks of the Whitewater Center, athletes from around 50 countries have travelled to compete at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships, and the city is preparing to welcome Olympic competition at LA28.
"This has been a long time coming, and we're super excited," said Knopp.
"The city is thrilled to be becoming a hub for paddlesport on the world stage.
Twenty years ago, it's probably the last thing we would have imagined, but with the evolution and development of the river, it's been amazing to see people really embrace it. Seeing so many people out here today is a great indication of that."
The opening days of competition have offered a preview of the atmosphere Oklahoma City hopes to recreate in two years' time, with enthusiastic crowds turning out despite soaring temperatures.
"The first couple of days of competition have been really well received," said Knopp.
"It's been hot, but even during the heats I was really pleased with how many people came out to cheer on the athletes. We've had great feedback from the athletes themselves as well. Many of them have been here for a while training, and it's been fun to see how they've embraced the Oklahoma culture."
Knopp even smiled at one unexpected sign that visitors were embracing their surroundings.
"I've seen a lot of cowboy boots around, so that's been really great as well," he said.
For the organising team, the World Championships have served as more than just a major international event, they have been a full-scale rehearsal for LA28.
"For us, this is a milestone event," Knopp said.
"We've been working towards this for some time, but when the opportunity to host events ahead of LA28 came about, we realised this would be a real test for us to make sure all of our systems were in place.
“It really marks the two-year countdown to the Olympic Games, and I think it's reaffirmed everyone's enthusiasm and excitement for what's to come."
The event has also provided valuable operational lessons.
"Of course, we've also been tested by the weather," said Knopp.
"Seeing how the athletes, officials and volunteers have responded to the heat has been encouraging, and I'm really pleased with how our team has handled it.
“We've done everything we can to keep people cool by handing out plenty of water, cooling towels and providing lots of shaded areas. It's been unusually hot, although it's cooled down a little over the past day. It's certainly given us something to factor into our planning for LA28."
While preparations continue for the Olympic Games, the benefits of hosting major international events are already being felt across Oklahoma City.
"We're already seeing an economic impact," Knopp said.
"We've had athletes, coaches and officials staying here for an extended period, and now that competition is underway, we're welcoming spectators from across the region. I've met people who've travelled from Tennessee, Texas and beyond just to watch the event, and that's terrific to see."
Those visitors are also helping raise the profile of both the city and the sport.
"One of the biggest lessons has been helping people here in Oklahoma City understand just how significant this event is," said Knopp.
"We've welcomed people from around 50 countries, and that's not something we're used to. It's been as much an education process for our community as it has been a sporting event, not only in becoming an international hub for the sport but also in learning about canoe and kayak itself.
“We want to continue building that understanding and grow the fanbase here in Oklahoma as we approach the Olympic Games."
For Knopp, seeing Olympic competition come to Oklahoma City is the culmination of a vision that began more than two decades ago.
"Hosting Olympic events is an incredible source of pride for me personally," he said.
"I was inspired to develop water sports in Oklahoma City after attending the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, and to think that, 30 years later, we'll be hosting several Olympic events here is unbelievably exciting."
He believes the Games will leave a lasting legacy, both for the city and for paddle sports in the United States.
"For paddle sports, this is an amazing opportunity," said Knopp.
"The sport will be one of the focal points of the Olympic programme in Oklahoma City, and over the next two years we're focused on making the most of that spotlight."
That work has already begun.
"We're going to be travelling to communities across Oklahoma and beyond, working to get more people out on the water," he said.
"Alongside USA Canoe-Kayak, we're developing initiatives such as 'Boathouse in a Box' to help democratise access to paddlesport and make it easier for communities to get involved.
“With the Olympic Games returning to the United States for the first Summer Games in 30 years, there's so much excitement to build on."
For Knopp, the World Championships is not simply the biggest event Oklahoma City has hosted, they are the beginning of something much bigger.
"The opportunities surrounding the Games are enormous, but it's just as important to think about what comes afterwards," he said.
"We want to make sure the inspiration created by the Olympics continues long after the Games have finished and that the fire keeps burning."
That long-term vision is already evident at Riversport, which has grown into a year-round adventure and recreation destination.
Alongside hosting world-class Canoe Slalom events, the venue offers whitewater rafting, kayaking, surfing, ziplining, climbing, mountain biking and a range of outdoor activities, ensuring the course remains a hub for both elite sport and community participation throughout the year.
Find out more about Riversport and its year-round activities at: www.riversportokc.org
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