Smolen will be responsible for overseeing the development of slalom clubs and coaches across the US whilst also coaching senior national team athletes.

Working with the national team director and head coach of the national slalom team, he will be looking to grow the sport across the country.

Joe Jacobi, the chief executive of USA Canoe/Kayak, said: "We are thrilled to have Rafal join our professional coaching staff at USA Canoe/Kayak.

"Rafal will play a critical role in realising the challenging goals we've set for the national slalom programme."

During his time with Nantahala, one of the strongest slalom clubs in the US, Smolen was appointed coach of a number of US senior and junior teams, and served as the assistant coach during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

He also coached the Canadian slalom team in 2005 and the Chilean squad in Beijing during the 2008 Games.

Coach of the Year in 2002 for his work with the US junior team at the Junior World Championships, he has also coached at the largest Polish slalom canoe/kayak club for four years.

Polish-born Smolen also achieved success as an athlete, and was a four time Polish champion in slalom kayak as well as a reserve at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games.

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