CanoeKayak Canada thrilled at the prospect of the sport’s debut
SASKATOON (CUP) — The International Paralympic Committee has added the dynamic sport of paracanoeing to its program, and it is expected to make its debut at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Paracanoeing, which is exactly like regular canoeing, sometimes draws confusion from its name — unlike parasailing, paragliding and paratrooping, no parachutes of any kind are involved in the sport.
John Edwards, the chair of the International Canoe Federation’s Canoeing for All Committee, was excited for the chance to put competitive canoeing on the global stage that he feels it richly deserves.
“Inclusion onto the Paralympic program is part of CanoeKayak Canada’s continuing efforts to keep re-imagining itself to be a more significant and more successful sport,” Edwards said.
“Many members of CanoeKayak Canada have provided leadership in their clubs, provincially and nationally. They deserve an enormous amount of credit for moving this project ahead so quickly.”
There are many subcategories of the event given the degree of the competitor’s disability. It’s likely that all of these categories will be added to the Games selection as well.
The addition will give Canada an opportunity to add to its medal count, as it hopes to be the first nation to capture paracanoe gold, a feat that would resonate around the globe.
Finding an athlete who can do for the sport what Chantal Petitclerc did for wheelchair racing will be the next challenge of the CKC.
Anne Merklinger, director of Summer Sports and Own the Podium, is excited to be able to continue to publicly fund these athletes and says the “inclusion of triathlon and canoe into the Paralympic program will be a boost to the sports in Canada, and our continued goal to be amongst the best nations in the world in the Paralympic medal standings.”
She also hopes that “the recognition of paratriathlon and paracanoe strengthens the country’s overall summer Paralympic sport program, and will play a significant role in attracting more Canadians to the sport regardless of age or disability.”
