The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that canoeing will maintain a strong presence at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with a total of 16 medal events: ten in sprint and six in slalom. The decision, made by the IOC Executive Board, follows recommendations from the Olympic Programme Commission and was welcomed by the International Canoe Federation (ICF), which praised the continuation of the successful program seen in Paris 2024.

The inclusion of kayak cross, after its stellar debut in the French capital, stands out in a schedule that balances innovation, tradition, and gender equality. Canoeing is now the sixth sport with the most events on the LA28 programme, featuring eight events for women and eight for men. Additionally, the 318 athlete quotas will be maintained: 236 for sprint and 82 for slalom.

Slalom and sprint: guaranteed excitement

The six slalom events —C1, K1, and kayak cross, for both men and women— will be held at the Whitewater Center in Oklahoma City, a venue expected to deliver a vibrant experience for athletes and fans. Particularly, kayak cross, which thrilled spectators in Paris with its dynamic and head-to-head format, will again be one of the highlights of the programme.

Meanwhile, the Marine Stadium in Long Beach will host the canoe sprint events, which will also repeat the Paris 2024 format. Although the proposal to include the 5k was not accepted, the ICF remains optimistic and will continue promoting innovation through its Fit for Future Evolution strategy, already looking ahead to Brisbane 2032.