By Gary Anderson

September 23 - Canoeists will battle it out on the Oklahama River in 2014Oklahoma City will play host to the 2014 Canoe Marathon World Championships, it has been announced. 

The announcement was made at the conclusion of this year's Championships at Lake Bagsvaerd in Copenhagen as International Canoe Federation (ICF) President Jose Perurena handed over the organisation's flag to executive director for the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation, Mike Knopp.

The event is due to take place on the famous Oklahoma River between September 26 and 28 and will be represent the first time the Championships will have been staged in the United States.

"We are very excited to host this event next year," said Knopp

"We look forward to showcase our brand new venue to the world and to all the athletes here".

Previously, the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation has hosted the Beijing 2008 US Canoe and Kayak Olympic Trials for Flatwater Sprint and the 2007 Rowing World Challenge.

The Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation will host the 2014 ICF Canoe Marathon World ChampionshipsThe Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation will host the 2014 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships




























The facility has a 1,000 metre, 500m and 200m racecourse and boasts three state-of-the-art boathouses including the $10 million (£6.2 million/€7.4 million) Devon Boathouse, the $3.5 million (£2.2 million/€2.6 million) Chesapeake Boathouse and the $5 million (£3.1 million/€3.7 million) Chesapeake Finish Line Tower.

There are additional plans to develop the site even further by building two more boathouses, installing permanent lighting for night racing, a wind screen, grandstands and a $25 million (£15.5 million/€18.5 million) whitewater kayaking centre.

The Oklahoma River is the only river in America to be designated a US Olympic and Paralympic training site.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
September 2013: Canoe Marathon World Championships get royal seal of approval in Copenhagen