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The Czech national anthem crackled from the speakers after the last gold medal of the week was awarded. Then came more familiar tunes. A Lyric Theatre ensemble sang “Oklahoma!” Local hip-hop artist Jabee performed. It was all part of a closing ceremony that included a Nadia Comaneci appearance and parachuters plunging into the steamy waters of Riversport OKC.
And with that, the 2026 canoe slalom world championships is a wrap.
Oklahoma City hosted the six-day event with nary a hiccup. These world championships were simultaneously the closest facsimile to what it will be like for Riversport OKC to host canoe slalom in the 2028 Olympics yet a universe away from what’s to come in two years.
“It was a great momentum boost,” said Riversport OKC founder Mike Knopp. “I knew we could pull this off, but to be honest it went far better than we could’ve ever imagined.”
More: How athletes battled the heat at ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships
Australian Jessica Fox embraced the Oklahoma City of it all. Earlier in the week, Fox wore cowboy boots on the podium as she was awarded a gold medal.
“They’ve done a great job hosting the world champs,” Fox said. “They’ve made it a blend of the culture and the city … and then the athletes were able to put on a big show. It’s been amazing. We really thank Oklahoma for hosting us and look forward to coming back.”
That’s a meaningful endorsement. Fox is a legend. The most successful canoe slalom athlete in Olympic history.
Riversport OKC remained open to public use during the world championships (safe to say that won’t be the case during the Olympics). While premier athletes raced down the rapids, summer camp kids clambered into tubes in an adjacent channel. It could’ve made the world championships feel small-time, but Fox embraced it. Canoe slalom athletes don’t take themselves too seriously.
“It’s a really impressive venue, not only just the two channels and the whitewater slalom section that we train on, but all the different activities that seem to be happening all the time with the tubing and rafting and wave pool,” Fox said. “It’s obviously doing really well at engaging the local community to come and try water sports, and that’s what we love.”
Crazily enough, the channel the public was using during the world championships will be the Olympic channel in 2028.
“The venue is great,” Australia’s Merle Long said. “The people are awesome.”
Knopp credited his staff and the horde of volunteers.
“I got comments all week long about how incredible our people are here,” Knopp said. “Just to see the impression we have made on these athletes and these officials has been the most incredible thing to me.”
The only consistent complaint throughout the week was something event organizers couldn’t control: the heat.
“It’s hot as frick out here,” said Team USA’s Evy Leibfarth.
Fox suggested more shaded areas, which is part of the plan for 2028.
“And maybe some carpet on the black bridges because I’ve burned my feet a couple times,” Fox said. ”I should also probably wear shoes …”
The Aussies, though, are used to the heat.
“I feel like we’re probably better off than some of the Europeans,” Fox said.
More: Miquel Trave wins gold at ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships as fiancee cheers him on
Thomas Konietzko gave one of the closing speeches Saturday.
“(There are) tears in our eyes, but also anticipation,” he said. “Because we’re coming back.”
Konietzko is president of the International Canoe Federation, which announced Saturday that it’s changing its name to Paddle Worldwide.
While looking forward to canoe slalom returning to Oklahoma City for the 2028 Olympics, Konietzko rejected the idea that hosting the world championships was a mere tune-up.
“It was a very important world championship,” Konietzko said. “It was our first qualification competition on our way to LA28. They delivered exactly what we expected — a professional stage for our athletes.”
Michael Byrnes, who’s heading the Olympic hosting responsibilities in Oklahoma City, welcomed an LA28 contingent to town this week.
Everyone wanted to see what this would look like.
“How are the spectators connecting to the sport? What are they paying attention to? Where do they gravitate? How are we teaching them the sport? Those types of things,” Byrnes said.
As for the logistics, “the Olympic overlay will be dramatically different,” Byrnes said.
The attendance on Saturday was around 4,000, according to organizers. That was without much seating. Grandstands will be erected for the games.
“The crowd was awesome once we got to the weekend and everyone could take time off work,” said Fergus Coffey, the on-course announcer. “Phenomenal crowd out there, good energy.”
A success by every measure, but only a glimpse of what’s on the horizon.
“To see it come alive like this,” Byrnes said, “it makes it real.”
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at [email protected]. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC passes test of hosting ICF canoe slalom world championships. Next up? 2028 Olympics
Continue reading...
And with that, the 2026 canoe slalom world championships is a wrap.
Oklahoma City hosted the six-day event with nary a hiccup. These world championships were simultaneously the closest facsimile to what it will be like for Riversport OKC to host canoe slalom in the 2028 Olympics yet a universe away from what’s to come in two years.
“It was a great momentum boost,” said Riversport OKC founder Mike Knopp. “I knew we could pull this off, but to be honest it went far better than we could’ve ever imagined.”
More: How athletes battled the heat at ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships
International athletes share OKC experiences
Australian Jessica Fox embraced the Oklahoma City of it all. Earlier in the week, Fox wore cowboy boots on the podium as she was awarded a gold medal.
“They’ve done a great job hosting the world champs,” Fox said. “They’ve made it a blend of the culture and the city … and then the athletes were able to put on a big show. It’s been amazing. We really thank Oklahoma for hosting us and look forward to coming back.”
That’s a meaningful endorsement. Fox is a legend. The most successful canoe slalom athlete in Olympic history.
Riversport OKC remained open to public use during the world championships (safe to say that won’t be the case during the Olympics). While premier athletes raced down the rapids, summer camp kids clambered into tubes in an adjacent channel. It could’ve made the world championships feel small-time, but Fox embraced it. Canoe slalom athletes don’t take themselves too seriously.
“It’s a really impressive venue, not only just the two channels and the whitewater slalom section that we train on, but all the different activities that seem to be happening all the time with the tubing and rafting and wave pool,” Fox said. “It’s obviously doing really well at engaging the local community to come and try water sports, and that’s what we love.”
Crazily enough, the channel the public was using during the world championships will be the Olympic channel in 2028.
“The venue is great,” Australia’s Merle Long said. “The people are awesome.”
Knopp credited his staff and the horde of volunteers.
“I got comments all week long about how incredible our people are here,” Knopp said. “Just to see the impression we have made on these athletes and these officials has been the most incredible thing to me.”
The only consistent complaint throughout the week was something event organizers couldn’t control: the heat.
“It’s hot as frick out here,” said Team USA’s Evy Leibfarth.
Fox suggested more shaded areas, which is part of the plan for 2028.
“And maybe some carpet on the black bridges because I’ve burned my feet a couple times,” Fox said. ”I should also probably wear shoes …”
The Aussies, though, are used to the heat.
“I feel like we’re probably better off than some of the Europeans,” Fox said.
More: Miquel Trave wins gold at ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships as fiancee cheers him on
Ramping up for 2028 Olympics
Thomas Konietzko gave one of the closing speeches Saturday.
“(There are) tears in our eyes, but also anticipation,” he said. “Because we’re coming back.”
Konietzko is president of the International Canoe Federation, which announced Saturday that it’s changing its name to Paddle Worldwide.
While looking forward to canoe slalom returning to Oklahoma City for the 2028 Olympics, Konietzko rejected the idea that hosting the world championships was a mere tune-up.
“It was a very important world championship,” Konietzko said. “It was our first qualification competition on our way to LA28. They delivered exactly what we expected — a professional stage for our athletes.”
Michael Byrnes, who’s heading the Olympic hosting responsibilities in Oklahoma City, welcomed an LA28 contingent to town this week.
Everyone wanted to see what this would look like.
“How are the spectators connecting to the sport? What are they paying attention to? Where do they gravitate? How are we teaching them the sport? Those types of things,” Byrnes said.
As for the logistics, “the Olympic overlay will be dramatically different,” Byrnes said.
The attendance on Saturday was around 4,000, according to organizers. That was without much seating. Grandstands will be erected for the games.
“The crowd was awesome once we got to the weekend and everyone could take time off work,” said Fergus Coffey, the on-course announcer. “Phenomenal crowd out there, good energy.”
A success by every measure, but only a glimpse of what’s on the horizon.
“To see it come alive like this,” Byrnes said, “it makes it real.”
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at [email protected]. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC passes test of hosting ICF canoe slalom world championships. Next up? 2028 Olympics
Continue reading...
