The 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships will provide a platform for more than just elite competition, host organisers have said.
Scheduled to be held from August 20 to 24 in Milan, the Italian Canoe and Kayak Federation (FICK) has plenty of activities planned on the sidelines during the flagship event focusing on inclusivity and sustainability.
ICF Vice President and FICK President Luciano Buonfiglio said that hosting a World Championships is not just about competition but also an opportunity to “showcase Italy to the world, support local communities and tourism, and, of course, celebrate our athletes.”
The Pink Ladies comprising breast cancer survivors, who were also present at the Dragon Boat Festival during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, will lead the activities during the World Championships.
The FICK has reiterated its commitment to the Talent Identification Programme (TIP) camp and will also shed light on various sustainability projects they have been working on.
“It will be an inclusive event — we’ve allocated part of our budget to support 30 athletes participating in the TIP camp, a special development camp promoted by the ICF and financially supported by the Organising Committee to assist athletes from low-income countries,” Buonfiglio said in an interview with Italpress.
“Additionally, we’ll present the outcomes of several sustainability projects developed through European Erasmus+ programmes, such as DECK and BENCHES, in collaboration with the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa and the International Canoe Federation.”
The sustainability activities will focus on the guidelines and strategies for eco-friendly events and the application of the Sustainability Rating Tool (SRT) provided by the DECK Project.
Buonfiglio thanked local authorities including the Italian National Olympic Committee and Italian Paralympic Committee, Sport e Salute, the region of Lombardy and the Metropolitan City of Milan for their support and said that working together, they can achieve something truly special.
“In short, we’re investing heavily because we want to lead — not just in sport, but in values as well. Together with local authorities, we’ve launched a sports promotion initiative called 'Supporter for a Day: Let’s Support Sport',” he added.
“This programme will involve local schools and associations, offering children and young people a valuable educational experience that blends sport, environmental education, and fair play.”
Youth engagement is another priority for the FICK, with over 320 clubs and more than 20,000 registered athletes across the country.
The National Federation hopes to build on that and establish a strong presence in schools through targeted programmes not only for Canoe Sprint and Canoe Slalom but also for the non-Olympic disciplines and recreational paddling.
“We want canoeing to be a sport for everyone — fun, accessible, and inclusive. Today, we count around 180,000 enthusiasts, and we’re determined to keep growing,” he said.
“Our clubs operate along coasts, lakes, and rivers throughout Italy. And we want to become even more visible — for the good of Italian sport and as ambassadors of our beautiful country.”
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