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The classic test of speed and power
In Flatwater Racing sprint events, paddlers race on a straight course, each boat in a separate lane, over three different distances : 200 m, 500 m and 1000 m. In a kayak, the paddler is seated and uses a two-blade paddle, while in a canoe, the paddler is kneeling on one knee, and uses a single blade paddle. There are kayak events, for men and women, in single (K1), double (K2) and four boats (K4), and canoe events for men in single (C1), double (C2) and four boats (C4) and recently also for women.
This form of racing became an Olympic discipline in 1936 and its programme includes events over 200 m and 1000 m for men and 200 m and 500 m for women.
Except of sprint categories canoeists race also in long distances. At World Championships and European Championships these are 5000 m, only single boats are used. Long distances are also very popular for mass competitions, e.g. Sella Descent in Spain.
During the 2025 ECA Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint European Championships held in Pitesti, Romania, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the European Canoe Association (ECA) and Special Olympics Europe Eurasia. The agreement was formalised by Jean Zoungrana, President of the ECA, and Krzysztof Krukowski, Senior Director Organisational Development of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia (SOEE).
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With as many as 32 final races on Sunday, the 2025 ECA Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint European Championships concluded in Pitesti, Romania. Hungarian athletes continued their dominance on Sunday, winning an impressive 13 gold medals.
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The 2025 ECA Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint European Championships in Pitesti, Romania, has entered into the decisive phase. Saturday featured the first finals, where young athletes competed for European titles. Ten championships events were held, with gold medals going to Hungary, Germany, Czechia, Denmark, Poland, and – to the delight of the home crowd – Romania.
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