Canoe will feature at a Paralympic Games for the first time at Rio 2016, along with triathlon, but the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have confirmed only kayak events will be held. 

It is because of doubts over the Va'a boats, outrigger canoe which has its roots in Polynesia. 

"Whilst we consider the new classification system adopted for kayak as robust, we have some reservations about the validity of the classification system proposed for the Va'a boat," said IPC chief executive Xavier Gonzalez said following a meeting of the IPC Governing Board in Abu Dhabi. 

"More research is needed and we believe that there is insufficient time for this to be completed and fully implemented ahead of the first qualifying event for next year's Paralympics.

"As a result only kayak events will be included in the sport's debut at Rio 2016."

All kayak athletes will also be reclassified under the new system ahead of the International Canoe Federation World Championships in Milan in August, which acts as a qualification event for  Rio 2016.

It follows changes to the classification process announced by the IPC last month. 

The newly-implemented "zero classification" policy will put an end to athletes being classified just days before an event, which can dramatically reduce a competitor's chances of a medal.

Canoeing will make its Paralympic Games debut at 2016 but only kayak events will take place following doubts over the Va'a boats ©Getty Images



The canoe programme at next year's Paralympics will be comprised of K1, K2 and K3 events for both men and women.

All races will take place over a 200 metres distance and will be held at the picturesque Lagoa Stadium, at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, in front of a backdrop that includes the famous Christ the Redeemer statue and Tijuca National Forest.

"We are very excited for canoe's debut at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games alongside triathlon which will also feature for the first time," Gonzalez said.

"Since its acceptance into the Paralympic programme in December 2010, the International Canoe Federation (ICF) has been working hard to finalise its new classification system, undertaking a significant research project."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
January 2015: International Paralympic Committee announces "zero classification" policy for future Games
September 2014: Paracanoeist Young dreaming of Rio 2016 gold to complete remarkable journey after skiing accident
August 2014: British Paracanoeists dominate with three more world titles at Sprint Canoe World Championships
August 2014: Briton Chippington claims two more titles at Para-Canoe World Championships
August 2014: Austrian world champion secures double gold at ICF Paracanoe World Cup in Hungary