Quick Guide: Flatwater

Canoeing is one of the select few Olympic sports that can trace their roots back to ancient times. The first evidence of a canoe was found near the Euphrates River and is more than 6,000 years old. While modern canoes have come a long way, the basic principle of propelling yourself along by a hand-held paddle remains the same. The differences between canoes and kayaks are small, but canoes are open boats paddled from a kneeling position while kayaks are closed with competitors sitting in the boat. Flatwater canoeing is a straight race along a measured distance.

Men race in both canoes and kayaks, while women compete only in the kayaks. In flatwater canoeing, men compete in both single and double canoes over a distance of 500 metres and 1000 metres. Kayaks are raced over the same distances by men and women, in single, double or quadruple boats.

There are 12 flatwater events, including three for women, with a total of 246 athletes.

Shunyi Olympic rowing/canoeing park