THE 16 EVENTS

Men

• Straight racing: Canoe (4 events): C1 500m, C2 500m, C1 1000m, C2 1000m - Kayak (5 events): K1 500m, K2 500m, K1 1000m, K2 1000m, K4 1000m
• Slalom: Canoe (2 events): C1, C2 - Kayak (1 event) : K1

Women

• Straight racing: Kayak (3 events): K1 500m, K2 500m, K4 500m
• Slalom: Kayak (1 event): K1

FORMAT

Straight racing: Qualifying, repechages, semi-finals and final (9 boats).

Slalom: Qualifying over two runs, then semi-finals and final over 1 run. The times of the semi-finals and final will be combined to determine the winner.

MILESTONES

1866

Creation of the first canoe club in London.

1924

Features as a demonstration sport at the Olympic Games in Paris.

1936

The canoe-kayak is officially included in the Olympic programme in Berlin (straight racing event).

1972

The slalom event appears in the Munich Games, but does not make another appearance until 20 years later in Barcelona (1992).

1976

The Olympic programme is given a radical overhaul. As of Montreal, for straight racing, four new events are introduced: K1 and K2 500m, C1 and C2 500m.

STARS

Gert Fredriksson (Sweden)

The best. Six gold medals in straight racing between 1948 and 1960, incluing a hat-trick in the K1 1000m (1948, 1952, 1956). Also won 7 world titles in K1.

Knut Holmann (Norway)

Three Olympic gold medals in straight racing, including a double K1 500m - K1 1000m at Sydney 2000. 4 world titles in K1 1000m (1990, 1991, 1993, 1995).

Birgit Fischer (Germany)

The most decorated. Eight Olympic gold medals in 24 years between 1980 and 2004, in K1, K2 and K4. Also won 27 world titles in K1, K2 and K4.

Copyright 2008 Agence France-Presse.