Olympic Canoeing

Canoeing and kayaking medals have been awarded at the Summer Olympics since 1936.¹ Male athletes compete in six canoeing events and six kayaking events, while female athletes compete in four kayaking events.²

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, canoeing and kayaking events were held at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park from August 11 to August 23, 2008.^{3 4} Germany led all nations in canoeing and kayaking medals, winning eight. Australia followed with five medals, while Slovakia and Hungary each won four.⁵

Fast Facts

1. Debuted as an exhibition sport in 1924¹
2. Became a full medal sport in 1936¹
3. Men's events: Six canoeing and six kayaking²
4. Women's events: Four kayaking²
5. Flatwater and slalom events held⁶

History

Canoeing and kayaking were introduced to the Summer Games in 1924 as exhibition events.¹ Men's flatwater events, where all athletes compete at the same time, were added as full medal events in 1936.¹² Women's flatwater events were introduced in 1948.¹ Slalom events, where each individual or team completes a course, one at a time, for the fastest time, were first held in 1972, then returned in 1992.⁷²

Men's Flatwater Events

• One-person 1000 m kayak²
• One-person 500 m kayak²
• Two-person 1000 m kayak²
• Two-person 500 m kayak²
• Four-person 1000 m kayak²
• One-person 1000 m canoe²
• One-person 500 m canoe²
• Two-person 1000 m canoe²
• Two-person 500 m canoe²

Men's Slalom Events

• One-person canoe²
• Two-person canoe²
• One-person kayak²

Women's Flatwater Events

• One-person 500 m kayak²
• Two-person 500 m kayak²
• Four-person 500 m kayak²

Women's Slalom Event

• One-person kayak²

Related Pages on Mahalo

Summer Olympics 2008 | US Olympic Canoeing 2008 | Canoe | Kayaking | Olympics | Summer Olympics

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