Augsburg hosts 2022 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships and 50th Anniversary of 1972 Olympics
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IOC President Thomas Bach with world champion Ricarda Funk (GER), 2nd place Jessica Fox (AUS), 3rd place Elena Lilik (GER) after the medal ceremony. (Photo by Organisers)
AUGSBURG, August 5, 2022 - Having hosted the first Olympic canoe slalom 50 years ago, Augsburg proved to be the ideal venue for the 2022 World Championships. In fact, the Olympic facilities featuring the famous ice channel are now a world heritage site. As they were beginning to show their age, renovations became necessary to ensure safety while meeting conservation regulations, which were highly successful. The championships could therefore be held while retaining the Olympic atmosphere. Some 400 volunteers also helped to make it an excellent week for the 350 competitors.
STRONG LOCAL CROWD Back in 1972 the ice channel drew 30,000 spectators, but strong local crowd of 8,000 still enjoyed the exciting events in perfect weather conditions this year. Television and the internet naturally attracted larger audiences worldwide. There is no doubt the World Championships in Augsburg will thus be remembered for some time to come.
Felix Oschmautz of the Austrian National Team
HIGH INTEREST Interest in the German team’s successes was just as high as it was in 1972. Germany took home all the medals then and this year they almost did it again. Only the Czech Republic’s Vit Prindis prevented a clean sweep with his victory in the men’s kayak singles. The many spectators not only cheered on the Germans but were also equally fair to the other athletes from 52 nations.
Journalists from far and wide praised the support they received, which also kept spirits high in the media centre. Even the weather did not disappoint. Photos and footage will therefore ensure these world championships will not be forgotten.
OLYMPIC LEGACY At the awards ceremony, IOC President Thomas Bach cited the Augsburg venue as a great example of an Olympic legacy.
Augsburg is as renowned in canoe slalom as Kitzbühel in the skiing world. Hardly surprising, as the atmosphere at the two venues is simply unique. Major events will definitely also be hosted here in the future. Who knows, some of the countless children who came may even be inspired to take part themselves in ten or twenty years’ time?
STRONG LOCAL CROWD Back in 1972 the ice channel drew 30,000 spectators, but strong local crowd of 8,000 still enjoyed the exciting events in perfect weather conditions this year. Television and the internet naturally attracted larger audiences worldwide. There is no doubt the World Championships in Augsburg will thus be remembered for some time to come.
HIGH INTEREST Interest in the German team’s successes was just as high as it was in 1972. Germany took home all the medals then and this year they almost did it again. Only the Czech Republic’s Vit Prindis prevented a clean sweep with his victory in the men’s kayak singles. The many spectators not only cheered on the Germans but were also equally fair to the other athletes from 52 nations.
Journalists from far and wide praised the support they received, which also kept spirits high in the media centre. Even the weather did not disappoint. Photos and footage will therefore ensure these world championships will not be forgotten.
OLYMPIC LEGACY At the awards ceremony, IOC President Thomas Bach cited the Augsburg venue as a great example of an Olympic legacy.
Augsburg is as renowned in canoe slalom as Kitzbühel in the skiing world. Hardly surprising, as the atmosphere at the two venues is simply unique. Major events will definitely also be hosted here in the future. Who knows, some of the countless children who came may even be inspired to take part themselves in ten or twenty years’ time?
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