Paracanoe programme and quotas confirmed for Paralympic Games LA28

Courtesy canoeicf.com

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has confirmed 10 medal events in the Paralympic Games LA28 programme. 

The International Canoe Federation has welcomed the IPC Governing Board’s decision that will see gender equality achieved again in terms of medal events and athlete quotas.

Medals will be up for grabs in six kayak and four va’a events, with 100 athlete quotas — 50 male and 50 female — on offer for LA28.

Programme  

• Men: KL1, KL2, KL3, VL2, VL3

• Women: KL1, KL2, KL3, VL2, VL3

The move comes after the resounding success of Paris 2024, where five men’s and five women’s events made it the biggest Paracanoe programme at a Paralympic Games.

The continuity shows the global nature of Paracanoe, with all five continents featuring on the medals table of the Paralympic Games for the first time at Paris 2024.

Among the many firsts in Paris was the victory of Algerian Brahim Guendouz, who stormed to the men’s KL3 gold medal in France, a first at the Games for the African continent.

Joining Algeria in a first medal at the Games was China’s Yongyuan Zhong, who claimed bronze in the women’s VL3.

The ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cup in Poznan, Poland, last month saw the return of Paracanoe more than eight months after the Paralympic Games.

The integration of Paracanoe with Canoe Sprint at ICF events not only recognises the excellence of athletes with disabilities but also increases awareness and exposure, especially with the extensive TV coverage on offer.

“I’m pleased that the IPC has agreed to affirm the existing 10 medal event programme we had at the 2024 Paris Games,” John Edwards, Chair of the ICF Paracanoe Committee, said.

“Of course, we had asked for inclusion of the VL1 events which they have declined to include, and this is a disappointment.

“We must continue to expand our participation in our ICF competitions so that the IPC is persuaded to add more events for the 2032 Games in Brisbane.”

LA28 will be Paracanoe’s fourth successive appearance at the Paralympic Games after successful showings at Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024.

Paracanoe events at LA28 will be held at the Marine Stadium, Long Beach.