Canoe Sprint Ends First 2012 Test Phase

Eton Dorney will this week play host to world class sport in the Canoe Sprint Invitational International Regatta, a test event for London 2012 Olympic Games and the last Olympic test competition in the first cluster of events taking place this summer.
 
The Canoe Sprint Invitational International Regatta is the 18th event in the London Prepares Series.  

It is the first international sprint regatta to be held in Great Britain in more than 30 years, involving the 198 elite athletes from 32 nations.
 
Top British athletes taking part include Ed McKeever, silver medallist in the Men’s Kayak Single (K1) at the recent World Championships in Szeged and Liam Heath and Jon Schofield, 2011 European Champions and silver medallists at the 2011 World Championships in the Men’s Kayak Double (K2) 200m.

For the women, Rachel Cawthorn, former European gold medallist in the Women’s Kayak Single (K1) 1000m, will also compete at the event.
 
The event is being used by London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) to test the course, timing, technology and workforce.

Although the event is not open to the general public, local canoe clubs have been given the chance to attend the event to watch their sporting heroes.
 
Canoe Sprint events are head-to-head races conducted on still water, with athletes racing over distances of 200m, 500m or 1,000m, either solo, in pairs or in teams of four.

London 2012 will see the 200m race discipline introduced for the first time.
 
David Luckes, head of Sport Competition at LOCOG said of the event: ‘This is another exciting international event which is crucial for us to ensure we test our functions and aid planning to deliver a great Games in 2012. Even though Eton Dorney is an existing venue it is still vital we test our operations and make sure we are ready’.
 
During London 2012 Eton Dorney will be the venue for Rowing, Paralympic Rowing and Canoe Sprint events.