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British paracanoeists once more dominated the World Championships and earned majority of the quotas for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. They have secured a total of seven quotas, five in women’s and two in men’s events. Spain won six quotas and Ukraine five. Alltogehter 37 quotas out of 60 were allocated to European nations according to the rules and results, achieved at the World Championships.

 

Europe remains the strongest continent; however, other nations are catching up fast. Algeria has earned its first ever quota, thanks to Brahim Guendouz’s bronze medal in the men’s KL3. It is the only new country so far qualified for the Games.

 

“Of course once again the countries who have had strong paracanoe programs for many years, like Great Britain, Spain, Ukraine, Brazil and Australia, will once again have a strong presence at the Paraylmpics. But there is absolutely no doubt the rest of the world is catching up. We have a quota for Algeria, we have more athletes from countries who previously had smaller teams, and we have the opportunity for more countries still to join. The remaining 40 athlete quota slots will be decided at the 2024 Paracanoe World Championships in Szeged in May next year,” said John Edwards, ICF paracanoe committee chair.

 

In Tokyo 12 countries won the medals. Great Britain was the most successful with three gold and seven overall. In Rio just nine countries won medals. There, too Great Britain lead the medals table with three gold and five medals overall.

 

In Paris, women’s VL3 event will be introduced, which means gold medals will be contested in ten events.

 

European nations with confirmed paracanoe quotas: Austria (1), Spain (6), France (2), Great Britain (7), Germany (4), Hungary (4), Israel (1), Italy (3), Poland (2), Portugal (2), Ukraine (5).