ZDF to Broadcast 2013 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships

The President of the German Canoe Federation (DKV) Thomas Konietzko has announced that the “Second German Television” (ZDF) will provide live coverage of the 2013 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Duisburg.

Both the ICF and ZDF confirmed the dates for the Championships to take place from 27 August to 1 September on the famed Wedau Regatta course in Duisburg. The City stepped in for Rio de Janeiro, mind after the latter withdrew from hosting the event.

The Local Organising Committee also announced “Sparkasse Duisburg” a local bank as their first main sponsor. The chairman of the bank described their partnership and support of the event as their contribution to promoting the City of Duisburg as a reputable host of major sporting events.

“Duisburg has invested in the development of the regatta course in previous years, generic ” said Hans-Werner Tomalak, Chairman of Sparkasse Duisburg Bank. “This will be the first time we will be able to present the completed parallel channel.”

The local organisers of the Championships will be Kanu-Regatta-Club Duisburg led by their President, Otto Schulte. This will be the fifth time that the club will be responsible for organising this major event, having already done so in 1979, 1987, 1995 and 2007.

“We are experienced enough to organise such a large event with short notice to suit all athletes,” Said Otto Schulte. “We anticipate the participation of approximately 80 nations to participate in the title races in the year after the Olympics.”

Thomas Konietzko explained during the press conference that It was no simple undertaking to find the right dates to stage the Championships as all German television stations had to be consulted with regards to live coverage of the event,

During a meeting at Mainz, home of the ZDF, a full coverage of the weekend of the finals was agreed upon.

As the only World Championships to be held in Germany next year and Canoe Sprint being the most successful summer sport in Germany, the competition will attract plenty of TV viewers as well as spectators to the venue so consequently it was an easy decision to make for the leading figures at ZDF.

The TV station ZDF will present a weekend of regattas, with parallel live coverage of the Canoe Sprint World Championships and the Rowing World Championships from Chungju, South Korea.

Otto Schulte presented the full programme for the 2013 World Championships stating that the Opening Ceremony will be staged in Duisburg on 27 August (Tuesday) and the first day of competition will be 28 August (Wednesday), featuring Paracanoeing. Heats in all other disciplines, including the 200m and 1000m, will then be run on Thursday and Friday.

“One of the challenges with the short notice of taking over the event is setting up a budget,” said Konietzko. “Therefore it is very important for us that Sparkasse Duisburg did not hesitate to agree their support.

“We can feel the tail wind as city and region are ready for next year’s event.”

The Chairman of the board, Hans-Werner Tomalak, concluded, “The 2013 World Championships will be a real highlight for all citizens. We accept our responsibility as an enterprise with strong local links to contribute to the successful making of such a major event.”