2011 Sprint World Championships to move location

The first stage of 2010 ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup has been held in Vichy (France) from May 7th to May 9th under extreme weather conditions which resulted in heavy flows in the river Allier.

Following this event, the International Canoe Federation Executive Committee met during the World Cup of Szeged (Hungary) in order to consider the report of the ICF Canoe Sprint Technical Committee.

The ICF Executive Committee asked to the French Canoe Federation and its local Organizing Committee to conduct all the necessary studies to make sure that the 2011 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championship would match all the needed specifications to ensure fair and equal race conditions required for a World Championship and Olympic Qualifying event.
The technical studies carried out during the last few weeks in collaboration with several specialized companies provided precise results about hydrometric and meteorological data in regard with the area of the river Allier that will host the competition.

After a thorough analysis of the technical data, it appears that all the required specifications are met, except for one parameter. Although the water flow of the river Allier is statistically very limited on the impacted period, the complete water flow stoppage on the entire race course cannot be guaranteed for the whole period of the Championship.

Given this situation, and after having considered the risk of inequity and unfairness for the athletes, the French Canoe Federation, along with the city of Vichy, and with the consent of President of the International Canoe Federation, officially decided not to organize the World Championship and to give it back to the International Canoe Federation.

The French Canoe Federation wishes to sincerely thank all the women and the men who have been involved in this wonderful project, as well as the city of Vichy, the territorial bodies, the State and all the sponsors that made Vichy 2010 the success that everyone witnessed.