The world’s top canoe slalom athletes will return to Lee Valley White Water Centre next summer after the London 2012 Olympic venue was confirmed as host for the first race of the 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Series (6-8 June 2014).
It forms part of UK Sport’s Gold Event Series, an ambitious programme to bring up to 70 world class sporting events to the UK by 2019 to help build a strong legacy from the outstanding success of London 2012.
The world class Lee Valley venue will stage the first of the five events on the 2014 World Cup calendar before the centre comes back into the spotlight in 2015 when it holds the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships (16-20 September).
British Canoe Union CEO Paul Owen said: "Bringing major events to the UK is hugely important for our athletes, for the venue’s local community and of course to inspire a new generation of canoeists.
"The BCU is delighted that Lee Valley White Water Centre is holding the 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup. I have no doubt it will be a hugely popular event and I am sure it will keep alive the magic we experienced during London 2012."
The Lee Valley White Water Centre comprises a technically demanding 300m Olympic standard competition course with a 5.5m descent and a 160m Legacy Loop with a 1.6m descent. It is the base for GB Canoeing’s slalom team, most notably C1 and C2 World Champion David Florence, his C2 partner Richard Hounslow and European Champion Fiona Pennie.
Since Team GB won gold and silver medals at London 2012 the centre has continued to evolve. Over £6 million has been invested into new training facilities, an elite centre, additional car parking and landscaping to enhance the experience for paddlers and spectators.
Lee Valley has developed a number of successful legacy projects and is used for a wide variety of activities involving participants from complete beginners to elite athletes. Since the London Games it has attracted some 290,000 visitors.
ICF President and IOC Member José Perurena said: "It is fantastic that we are returning to the home of the 2012 London Olympic Games for the 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup. It demonstrates that our sport is truly benefiting from the Games legacy and maximising the facility’s potential to host world class competition.
"I have no doubt that the event will be a huge success and that the technically demanding course at Lee Valley White Water Centre will, once again, test the world’s best paddlers.
"Being able to open the 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup series at an Olympic venue is special and I am looking forward to re-living the amazing atmosphere that was created during the Games."
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority Chief Executive Shaun Dawson said: "We’re thrilled to be hosting the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup – the first major international competition since the Games – at Lee Valley White Water Centre in 2014.
"During London 2012 the centre welcomed around 55,000 spectators who were privileged to witness Team GB’s amazing performance in achieving gold and silver in the canoe slalom event and I’m sure this event will also be a big draw for sports fans across the country.
"Since the Games we’ve seen many new paddlers taking up the sport after seeing success at elite level and this World Cup will inspire even more people to come to the centre and get involved in paddle sports and other white water activities."
UK Sport Director of Major Events Simon Morton said: "The 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup will be the first major international event at Lee Valley White Water Centre since London 2012, and we are delighted to welcome the international canoeing family back to one of our legacy venues.
"GB Canoeing has enjoyed fantastic success in 2013, including the World Championship double by David Florence, and this event will be a good platform to carry that success forward in 2014 as we continue on the Road to Rio."
Tickets for the Lee Valley World Cup will go on sale in February.
In March sports fans can see Britain’s top paddlers in action when Lee Valley hosts GB Canoe Slalom 2014 Selection Trials (28-30 March 2014).
Tickets for this curtain raiser to the British canoe slalom season go on sale at 10:00 on Wednesday 18 December at:
http://canoeicf.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2cbee736331aa45e1311e6e8c&id=d90b43c448&e=1a11c85fb4
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These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.
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