Canoe sprint World Cup – Szeged to host first international event of new Olympic cycle
In less than a month, the world’s top canoe sprint athletes will return to Szeged for the World Cup, which marks the first international competition of the new Olympic cycle. Bálint Szakács, president of the organizing committee and secretary general of the Hungarian Canoe Federation (MKKSZ), is expecting thrilling races and emphasized that from an organizational standpoint, the main goal is to once again host a world-class event at the Maty-ér course.
In an article published on the International Canoe Federation’s (ICF) website, Szakács expressed the committee’s desire to provide an unforgettable experience for both athletes and spectators.
“It’s an honor for us to host the first international canoe sprint competition of the new Olympic cycle at the legendary Maty-ér,” he said.
“We can say that Hungary is the place where the road to Los Angeles begins for the sport of canoe sprint. This is a tremendous source of pride for us, especially because the first event of a new Olympic cycle always carries special significance. We’ll see stars from the previous Olympics, as well as new challengers and future champions — some of whom may not yet be known on the world stage. Everyone will be aiming for victory while also assessing their rivals. I believe we’re entering an incredibly exciting Olympic cycle.”
Among the international stars set to compete in Szeged are Brazil’s Isaquias Queiroz, C-1 1000m gold medalist in Tokyo and silver medalist in both Paris and Rio; Australia’s Pierre van der Westhuyzen, a silver medalist in the K-4, and Olympic champion Thomas Green; Cuba’s Olympic gold medalist Serguey Torres Madrigal and Paris 200m C-1 bronze medalist Yarisleidis Cirilo Duboys. Two-time world champion Catalin Chirila of Romania is also listed among the entries.
The final roster of Hungarian competitors will be determined after the national trials, which will take place from April 30 to May 3.
The World Cup kicks off on May 16 with heats and semifinals, while the finals — to be broadcast live by M4 Sport — will take place on May 17 and 18.
“Each year, we strive to improve and streamline our organization to best meet the needs of athletes and fans. With a strong focus on presenting sporting events in a visually engaging way, we’ve invested in a new LED display that will debut this year. It will enhance the viewer experience and showcase sponsor content in higher quality. We’re also bringing back the medal ceremony platform, which brings athletes closer to the fans,” said Szakács, who also highlighted the event’s commitment to sustainability.
“In recent years, we’ve made consistent efforts to improve in this area as well. This year, we’re introducing a token system: teams can exchange empty water bottles for tokens, which they can then use to obtain new bottles. The organizing committee will ensure the selective collection of bottles, helping to reduce plastic waste,” he added.
Admission to the World Cup will be free of charge.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI)
Featured image: Hungarian Canoe Federation (MKKSZ)
Previously at Maty-ér
