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Article: OLYMPIC KAYAK AND CANOE
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- September 29, 1988
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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ORIGINS
The North Americans Indians invented the craft but Eastern
Europeans and New Zealanders dominate the sport. Olympic competitors
paddle at an extraordinary pace - up to 125 strokes a minute - and
four-man Kayaks generate enough speed to pull a water-skier. Olympic
canoe and kayak events have been held since 1936, but the racing
format and type of boats have varied. All races at Seoul will be
held on flat water (the Han River) over sprint distances. Women's
events, introduced in 1948, have been expanded gradually.
COMPETITION
Each nation may enter one boat in each of the five men's kayak
events (500m/520yd. and 1,000m/1040yd. singles, 500 and 1,000m pairs
and 1,000m fours, each of ...