The European Canoe Association (ECA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Special Olympics Europe Eurasia (SOEE).
The tie-up will add to the legacy of the partnership signed between the International Canoe Federation and Special Olympics International in 2022 in Berlin, Germany.
The ECA-SOEE MoU was made official at the 2025 ECA Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint European Championships held in Pitesti, Romania.
The MoU will see both organisations work closely to make paddle sports inclusive to athletes with disabilities across the region.
A total of 30 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities were in action in the kayak single and kayak double boats at the Bascov course.
However, this was not the first time, as canoeing events for athletes with intellectual disabilities were already included at the 2024 ECA Canoe Sprint, Paracanoe and SUP European Championships in Szeged, Hungary.
View this post on Instagram
“After hosting the very first Special Olympics event in Szeged, Hungary, as a part of the 2024 ECA Canoe Sprint, Paracanoe and SUP European Championships, the signing of this agreement with Special Olympics Europe Eurasia marks a major new milestone in the ECA’s commitment to making European canoeing a truly inclusive sport,” ECA President Jean Zoungrana said.
“This initiative specifically aims to promote the inclusion of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The pooling of our efforts through this agreement will significantly contribute to achieving this goal.”
David Evangelista, SOEE President and Managing Director, said: “This landmark partnership agreement will empower both of our organisations to increase the reach of inclusive paddle sport across the region and ensure that even more athletes with intellectual disabilities have access to this exhilarating sport.”
“We are excited to work with Paddle Europe, a leading voice in coach education programmes for inclusive paddle sport, to adapt the wealth of resources for Special Olympics training and competitions and to work together to raise the profile of both of
all inclusive paddle sport programmes and events.”
Related links
