Olympic Flatwater Canoeing & Kayaking

In the Flatwater competitions, paddlers race across calm water, over distances of 500m and 1000m. There are events for single athletes (C1, K1), pairs (C2, K2) and fours (K4).

Athletes compete head-to-head, with the aim of crossing the finish line first. At the highest level, races can be won in under 80 seconds.

Flatwater Canoeing reached the Olympic Games as a demonstration event in 1924. It became a full medal sport at Berlin 1936, with women first competing (Kayak only) in London 1948.

The white-water Slalom form of the sport was introduced in Munich 1972. Like Flatwater, Slalom has usually been dominated by European countries.