Canoe Niagara, Qualifier For Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games

Canoe Niagara is pleased to announce that the International Canoe Federation has selected Canoe Niagara, the 2013 ICF Junior and Under 23 Canoe Sprint World Championships as a qualifier for Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

“We are thrilled about this announcement that will add even more excitement to the Junior World Championships,” said Canoe Niagara General Manager Richard Dalton. “It will provide more incentive for the top Junior canoe and kayak athletes in the world to come participate and compete at Canoe Niagara.”

Youth Olympic Games is an international multi-sport event first held in Singapore in August 2010. The games are held every four years in staggered summer and winter events consistent with the current Olympic Games format. The age limitation of the athletes is 14 to 18.

The idea of such an event was introduced by Johann Rosenzopf from Austria in 1998. On July 6, 2007, International Olympic Committee (IOC) members at the 119th IOC session in Guatemala City approved the creation of a youth version of the Olympic Games.

The best ranked National Olympic Committee’s (NOCs) in each event at the Junior Canoe Sprint World Championships from August 1-4, 2013 will be allocated one qualification place for the respective events.

Canoe Niagara will be the springboard for these Junior paddlers to compete at Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games that will feature 3,500 athletes from all around the world.