Canoe Slalom Olympics

HISTORY

Canoe slalom made its Olympic debut at the 1972 Munich Olympics, however it did not reappear until the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. In 1972 there were four events - a men's C1, K1 and C2, and a women's K1. East Germany won every gold medal on offer, while West Germany won three silver and one bronze medal.

Initially it was agreed to add slalom to the 1972 Games on the condition the event be held close to Munich. However, when organisers announced they would build the course at Augsburg, more than 60 kilometres away, the IOC announced slalom would not be part of the program. However that decision was reversed when organisers announced they would build a railway linking Munich with the venue.

This Olympic canoe slalom program has remained the same ever since, however there will be a change in Tokyo in 2020, with the men's C2 replaced by a women's C1 event.

With the exception of Atlanta in 1996, every Canoe Slalom competition at an Olympic Games has been contested on an artificial whitewater course.

CLASSES

C1 and C2 events are contested in a canoe, with paddlers kneeling and using a single-blade paddle.

K1 events are contested in a kayak, with paddlers sitting and using a double-blade paddle,