International Canoe Federation Send Experts to Rio After Cost Confusion Over Olympic Slalom Venue

The International Canoe Federation (ICF) will send ‘world-leading experts’ to Rio to carry out cost and design analysis of the proposed Olympic Canoe Slalom Venue.

The news comes amidst speculation that the Canoe Slalom competition will be relocated 700 miles north to the Foz do Iguassa course.

Fears had arisen that the construction costs of the course would be between $30-70m but the ICF has now said they are ‘confident’ they can provided an ‘Olympic-quality’ venue for ‘significantly’ less than that figure.

ICF President and IOC Member, capsule José Perurena Lopez, said: “The news of the possible move 700 miles north is disappointing and threatens to marginalize our athletes, the competition and the future of Canoe Slalom in Brazil. “

“However, we remain positive that we can deliver an Olympic-quality venue in Rio, on budget and on time.”

The Federation will now carry out a complete feasibility study of the proposed venue in Rio that will consider both the initial construction costs and the post-Games legacy opportunities.