The International Canoe Federation has strengthened its Canoe Sprint talent pathway with the launch of a season-long development programme to nurture new stars of the future.
A total of 20 talented paddlers from 10 emerging nations will participate in several camps, with the first starting on May 5.
The integrated training and competition programme is designed to bridge the gap between emerging athletes and the performance standards required to contend for top level results at World Cups and World Championships.
Blending elite-level training with top-tier competition exposure, the camp will provide athletes with a comprehensive pathway to progress.
As well as intensive training in Hungary, participants will compete across a packed international schedule, including World Cups and the World Championships in Poznan, Poland.
Angola, Colombia, Egypt, India, Mozambique, Nigeria, Peru, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tajikistan and Tunisia will be represented.
ICF Development Manager and Flatwater Technical Advisor Sebastian Cuattrin will lead the development camp with support from Nichita Sergan and Marlene La Tour.
Selection for the programme was based on a rigorous set of criteria, including showing clear progression and strong potential to reach World Championships level in the coming years and having realistic prospects of qualifying for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
ICF Vice President Dr. Cecilia Farias said: “It is exciting to bring together paddlers from across the globe and provide them with access to world-class coaching, alongside invaluable experience competing on the international stage.
“We are especially encouraged to see strong female representation within the group.
“This reflects our continued commitment to gender equality and to creating more opportunities for women to excel in our sport.
“Achieving gender equality requires commitment at every level, and we encourage National Federations to take an active role in ensuring women and girls have equal opportunities to participate, develop, and succeed in our sport.”
ICF Canoe Sprint Committee Chair Toshi Furuya said: “With the Olympic qualification system now underway, this camp represents a vital opportunity for athletes from emerging nations to strengthen their chances of turning Olympic ambition into reality.
“The level of competition at this year’s World Cups will be higher than ever, and these paddlers will be eager to measure themselves against the very best.
“They will also receive guidance from world-class coaches, making this a fantastic opportunity to learn and grow within an elite environment.”
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