The Championships, organised by the International Canoe Federation and which are due to take place between September 16 and 20, which will decide qualification and selection for Rio 2016, will feature 300 of the world's top canoe slalom athletes in what is the largest global canoeing event outside of the Olympic Games.

Stott, the London 2012 C2 champion, will aim to secure his participation at the Championships when the British Senior Selection Trials are held here from April 3 to 5, and have the chance to battle for world titles and Olympic qualification at a venue that holds great memories for him.

"There are added elements of pressure when racing in a home environment, but that also brings great benefits as well," Stott told insidethegames after completing an open training session to mark the launch of the sale of tickets for the World Championships.

"But broadly speaking, it's really good to be able to race on a venue that you're very familiar with, and it's a greater challenge for the other athletes from other countries.

"We're very pleased to have it and it's just really, really positive that we have got it to show that this venue has got great legs into the future."

Stott announced in July that Mark Proctor would be his new C2 partner, following the retirement of fellow Olympic gold medallist Tim Baillie in January of last year.

Great Britain's canoeists will aim to secure qualification for the 2015 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships at the British Senior Selection Trials in April ©British Canoeing



The 35-year-old said it's a "really interesting challenge" as he looks to defend his Olympic crown.

"We've not got very long to get really good," said Stott. 

"Me and Tim raced for nine years together and we were very successful, but myself and Mark, we've also learned a lot as individuals and we're bringing that knowledge together.

"It's a fascinating situation, and a really great challenge and a really great opportunity as well.

"In our sport, the records will probably show that not many people get to defend their Olympic titles because it's just so difficult to make the team each consecutive Olympics.

"But I would say I'm confident that myself and Mark are going to put everything into it we can.

"We're going to use all our knowledge, all the support of our British canoeing team, the support from UK Sport and National Lottery basically to just make the very best decisions, and bring the best ideas we can to the table to get as close as we can."

The World Championships, which was last staged in the UK in 1995, will see competitors from 55 countries taking on the technically demanding Olympic course in five different disciplines.

The event is part of UK Sport's National Lottery funded major events programme to support athletes with their preparation and qualification for Rio 2016 and comes hot on the heels of last year's ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup, where the British team scooped an impressive medal haul of seven golds and one silver.

Etienne Stott (right) has ambitions of replicating his London 2012 success with Tim Baillie (left), alongside new partner Mark Proctor ©Getty Images



"UK Sport has been working with British Canoeing to bring world class events to this country and, after winning the right to host the first World Championships in 20 years, the nation can once again get behind our athletes on the road to Rio 2016," said Simon Morton, director of major events and international relations at UK Sport.

"The combination of outstanding venues like the Lee Valley White Water Centre, passionate fans and thousands of experienced volunteers mean the UK is recognised as one of the best places in the world to stage international sport as we build toward the next Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"Twenty fifteen will be crucial on our athletes' journey to Rio and we encourage the nation to help inspire and back them by coming to these critical events.

"Their support as part of a home crowd could make the difference as our athletes push for qualification on their own road to Rio 2016."

Among the canoeists joining Stott at the open training sesssion was London 2012 C2 silver medallists David Florence and Richard Hounslow, and 2014 K1 world silver medallist, Fiona Pennie.

Tickets for both the World Championships and the British Senior Selection Trials can now be purchased via Ticketmaster, by clicking here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]