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Slovakia is traditional host of major international canoe slalom events, such as World and European Championships for senior, U23 and junior paddlers, but this will be the first time this country will host a Championships in canoe sprint. The local organising committee has experience in organising Olympic Hopes and famous International regatta, however this will be a new challenge for them.

 

“We are gradually completing and improving the entire venue in order to present ourselves to the world in the best possible light. It is a great honour and a challenge for us to have been entrusted with the Junior and U23 European Championships. The European Canoe Association gave us priority over many European places. We have a lot of work, organisation and financial costs ahead of us, especially in terms of infrastructure. We are building complete facilities for the competitors, technical areas as well as stands and services for spectators. But we have a great organising team with experienced professionals,” said Boris Bergendi, Secretary General of Slovak Canoeing and Head of the Organising Committee who oversees the preparations for the championships.

 

The championships will start on Wednesday with opening ceremony and the first races are on the programme on Thursday, when young athletes will compete in 1000 and 500 metres heats. Friday morning will bring the semifinals in 1000 and 500 metres events, and in the afternoon we will see the 200 metres heats and additional 500 metres semifinals. The first medals will be awarded on Saturday morning to the best competitors in the 1000 metres finals. After that we will follow the 500 and 200 metres semifinals. On Sunday, the championships will conclude with 500 and 200 metres finals.

 

Fans will be able to follow the championships live on Canoe Europe Youtube channel free of charge.