 Canoeing and kayaking will take place at the the Schinias complex |
Olympic canoeing sees two types of boat - canoe and kayak - compete in either flatwater or slalom racing. In the canoes there are one and two-person disciplines, while the kayaks have one, two and four-person disciplines.
Individuals or crews in the canoe events must kneel and use a single-bladed paddle, while kayak competitors sit and use a double-bladed paddle.
Only men compete in the canoe flatwater and slalom racing, and there are 12 events in total, nine for men and three for women. Flatwater races centre on basic speed, with nine individuals or crews separated into lanes, each nine metres wide.
In Athens, competitors will paddle over the Olympic distances of 500m or 1,000m at the Schinias Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Centre.
The more spectacular slalom racing will take place on an artificial course at the Helliniko Olympic Complex.
Events are split over distances of 250m to 400m, with competitors trying to avoid touching the series of 18 to 25 gates with their paddle, boat, head or body.