Not since the 1996 Olympics has the Ocoee River venue seen such a level of world-class competition as will occur on Sept. 20-23 when it hosts the 2001 Canoe/Kayak Slalom World Championships.

During the Olympic planning period, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) committed to five years of competition water. The 2001 World Championships were then awarded to the Ocoee venue. This event, traditionally staged every two years, has only been held in the United States once - on Maryland’s Savage River in 1989. Twice as many athletes as the 135 that competed in the 1996 Olympics are expected to compete for the prestigious title of World Champion.

Approximately 40 countries will be represented with a total of up to 300 athletes participating. Teams from each country are comprised of the top four athletes in each category, with many being former Olympic athletes. The four classes of competition include women’s kayak (K-1W), men’s kayak (K-1M), men’s canoe (C-1) and men’s double canoe (C-2). Competition will take place on the 1996 Olympic course at the Ocoee Whitewater Center in the Cherokee National Forest just west of Ducktown, Tennessee, on U. S. 64.

The activities of “International Whitewater Week” will begin at Chattanooga’s annual CultureFest 2001, which takes place on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. at Coolidge Park. This free, multi-cultural family event celebrates the region’s ethnic diversity with live entertainment, food and artisans. More than 25,000 people are expected to attend the festival, which will end with a magnificent fireworks display over the river.

A special highlight will be an evening Parade of Nations across the Walnut Street Bridge featuring the international whitewater competitors for the 2001 Slalom World Championships. The parade will give the competing teams a chance to display their nation’s flags and to mingle and sign autographs with the public. Tickets and T-shirts for the World Championships will be on sale all day at the event.

The official opening ceremonies of the 2001 World Championships takes place at the Ocoee Whitewater Center on Wednesday, Sept. 19. The public is invited to come and take part in the festivities and greet the competitors from around the world. Scheduled practice sessions for teams begin on Wednesday, Sept. 12, and run through Tuesday, Sept. 18. Admission is free to spectators who would like to view these practice sessions. Ticketed competition starts on Thursday, Sept. 20, with individual qualifying heats continuing through Friday. Individual finals are on Saturday, Sept. 22, and the Team Race finals are on Sunday, Sept. 23.

In order to stage a competition of this magnitude, a multitude of workers is required. Approximately 350 volunteers will be involved in jobs ranging from helping with site and course construction to scoring, judging, and T-shirt sales. In addition, approximately 250 families are being sought who will open their homes to provide lodging for athletes and out-of-town volunteers as part of the Home-Stay Program. For further information visit the website at www.ocoeewhitewater.com or call 423.496.2275.

 

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The Smoky Mountain News