Power and speed are what make canoe
sprint an event not to miss at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021.
These two main ingredients make the
kayak and canoe races explosive, as competitors compete in a straight,
flat-water battle, requiring pure grit, strength, skill and strategy.
But who are the top contenders? When
will the competition take place? And where will it be held?
Here is our guide to the top things
to know about Olympic Canoe Sprint.
Lisa Carrington talks Tokyo 2020,
muscles and babies
New Zealand's two-time reigning K1
200m kayak sprint Olympic champion is delighted to be back on the water again
after her country lifted COVID-19 restrictions. While she says she was "so
ready" for the Olympics this year, Carrington hopes she can get better for
the delayed Games. She's also honoured to be compared to Simone Biles, and
wants girls to be proud to be strong.
Top Olympic canoe sprinters at Tokyo
2020
Typically, canoe sprint champions
come from traditional European paddling countries.
Of the four women's events in Rio
2016, Hungary won three, while Germany claimed three of the six men’s events.
But the tide may be shifting for the Tokyo Games in 2021 as up-and-coming
countries such as Brazil, New Zealand, and People's Republic of China have been
regularly making names for themselves with international podiums recently.
In the women's event, double Olympic
champion Lisa Carrington is aiming for a third consecutive K1 200m gold medal.
Since 2011 she is unbeaten at this distance internationally. She'll also be
looking to improve on her bronze medal in the K1 500m. Carrington will race in
New Zealand's K4 500m team boat as well, meaning she could have a very
demanding race schedule, especially if she competes in the K2 500m too.
Five-time Olympic champion Danuta
Kozak will be hoping to bounce back from a poor 2019 World Championships. The
Hungarian took home a bronze medal in the K1 500, but with Carrington winning
the race by nearly two boat lengths, she could have a tough competition in
Tokyo.
Teenager Nevin Harrison from the USA
is expected to perform well on her debut in Tokyo, having won the women’s C1
200m at the 2019 World Championships. She's the first American to have won a
canoe sprint world title.
In the men's events, Czech Republic
star Josef Dostal is always a fan favourite and will be wanting to go one
better than his Rio 2016 silver in the K1 1000m.
Great British paddlers have won
back-to-back gold in the men’s K1 200m. First Ed McKeever at London 2012 and
then Liam Heath at Rio 2016. Heath is favoured to defend his Olympic title
after also clinching the 2019 World Championships title.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist in
the men’s C1 1000m, Sebastian Brendel is expected to be a star in Tokyo. The
German is also the C2 1000m Olympic champion. With 28 international
competitions wins under his belt, he is the most decorated canoe sprinter to
race in Tokyo.
Olympic Canoe Sprint schedule at
Tokyo 2020
The canoe sprint competition at the
Olympics in Tokyo takes place over six days, from 2-7 August 2021
Here is the complete schedule and all
times are in Japan Standard Time (JST).
https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/schedule/canoe-sprint-schedule
Sport guide: Canoe Sprint explained
The idea of paddling a canoe or kayak
through calm water seems relaxing, but for these athletes the competition is
intense and exhausting.
Olympic Canoe Sprint venue at Tokyo
2020
The canoe sprint competition is
taking place at the Sea Forest Waterway in the Tokyo Bay area.
The venue is on the waterfront and
close to central Tokyo, with a maximum capacity of 12,800 for canoe sprint
races. Rowing will also use the venue.
At the conclusion of the Olympics,
the course will be used to host international rowing regattas and canoe competitions.
Olympic Canoe Sprint competition
format at Tokyo 2020
There are two types of crafts used in
canoe sprint: kayak (K) and canoe (C). Kayak paddlers race sitting in a boat
with a double-bladed paddle. Steering is done with their feet controlling a
rudder. Canoe paddlers kneel and use a paddle with a blade at one end. They
also use this paddle to steer as they do not have rudders.
Between men and women there are 12
events at the Tokyo 2020 Games in 2021. These include kayak singles, doubles,
and fours races. In canoe there are only singles and doubles races. Competitors
race over three distances - 200m, 500m, and 1,000m.
The start of a canoe sprint race is
dynamic and thrilling.
All boats line up and start the race
at the same time. Paddlers must balance themselves in the start gate, and be
completely still until the starter's signal. Then, in an instant, they paddle
hard to reach top speed as quickly as possible. The 200m race is the fastest
race in the programme, and the men's kayak race for that distance finishes in
approximately 30 seconds.
The race is held on a flatwater
course and was originally known as flatwater racing.
In the semi-finals, the top eight
boats progress to the ‘A’ final where medals are decided. The rest of the
semi-finals field compete in the 'B' final.
Michael Phelps Teaches Swimming
Most of us can swim, but there’s a
difference between dog paddling on vacation and swimming for fitness. If you’re
looking to unlock the low-impact, calorie-burning benefits of swimming, check
out this course from Michael Phelps on This Skills. The 26-time Olympic gold
medalist will cover everything you need to feel confidant and comfortable
swimming laps. You’ll learn all the basic strokes, plus wall kicking, diving and
other techniques, but you’ll also get a glimpse into the mindset of the most
decorated Olympian of all time.
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