More than 250 boats have entered from more than 61 nations, with six continents represented at the four-day International Canoe Federation event that will determine which athletes will compete at this year’s Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.

The unique slalom/sprint event will be contested at the same venue that hosted sprint canoe at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics – the Canal Olimpic de Catalunya.

There will be 58 paddlers -29 men and 29 women – looking to lock-up YOG qualifying positions in Barcelona.

Each Federation can present up to eight paddlers- two for each of the four categories: male and female K1, and male and female C1 - and eight competitions are held.

The competition is restricted to athletes aged between 15 and 18.

Among the entries for this week are athletes from Iraq, Algeria, Armenia, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Sao Tome.

History has shown the Youth Olympic Games is a strong launching pad for young athletes to reach the very top level of their sport.

Among the athletes at the inaugural Youth Olympics Games in Singapore in 2010 were Australia’s Jessica Fox, Germany’s Tom Liebscher and Czech Jiri Priskavec, who have all gone on to win Olympic or world titles.

The Youth Olympic Games format is a combination of sprint and slalom - obstacle - which Fox claimed does not tend to favour one athlete over another.

"I don’t think the slalom or sprint races reflect what we train for at world championships, but it’s great to learn from," she said.

"t’s a different vibe because it’s head to head racing.

"There are a lot of outside distractions like the village, the activities, the media, the opening and closing ceremonies, and I think all these contribute to making it a really valuable experience.

"So if you do get the chance to compete at the YOG, soak up the energy and atmosphere.

"Focus for your races, but really make the most of every activity, event and enjoy it.