Welcome
The Hungarian Canoe Federation is thrilled to invite you to come to Szeged to compete at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships. Again.
After 1998 and 2006 we are proud hosts of the biggest race of our sport in 2011.
Having staged highly acclaimed World Championships and World Cups over the past several years the Hungarian Canoe Federation is eager to welcome the best paddlers of sprint kayaking and canoeing at the traditionally very prestigious, internationally renowned Maty-ér Regatta Course.
On these pages we wish to summarize the most vital and useful bits of information not just on the competition, participation, board, lodging, additional services and visa issuance but also on the city of Szeged and the venue itself.
We hope that you are going to visit these pages often in 2011 and will find all the information you are looking for about the paddling event of the year.
H. E. Dr. Pál Schmitt - President of the Republic of Hungary
No. 1. international success of Hungarian sport is canoe-kayaking, the most successful among the successful, and a most important source of enjoyment for millions. Names of Natasa Janics and Katalin Kovacs, Attila Vajda and Zoltan Kammerer, multiple-time Olympic and World Champions placate this path of triumph. They are expecting competition for the third time just within a few years at the regatta course in Szeged.
Ranks and importance of this year’s World Championships are underpinned by athletes’ potential merit of qualifications to enter the XXX Summer Olympic Games in London 2012.
We, Hungarians have all the reasons to be proud – in addition to earning the praise of all international participants – of the decision of the International Canoe Federation to award the rights of organising such a prestigious event in Szeged. The regatta course is not only continuously upgraded, but such decisions also prove that the venue provides excellent circumstances to the athletes, and at last not but not the least, the uniquely enthusiastic welcome by the fans make the Szeged experience outstanding.
The very capable and professional hosts, in addition to keeping both athletes and spectators fully informed, the innovative tools introduced in television broadcast make the Championships spectacular and more exciting.
I am certain that the City of Szeged and the Hungarian Canoe Federation celebrating its 70th anniversary this year will play excellent hosts to this event where competitors aim not only for the medals but also to earn the right to participate in the Olympic Games in London. I am positive that our international guests will leave Hungary noted for its superb hospitality with the most favourable impressions and fondest memories.
Wishing you all a fair competition and great success,
Pál Schmitt
President of the Republic of Hungary
Patron of the ICF Sprint World Championships by MOL
Dr. Etele Baráth – President of the Hungarian Canoe Federation
It goes without saying that it is a great honour for the Hungarian canoe sport and the entire country that the International Canoe Federation trusted us with the right to organise the “competition of the competitions”, that is, the Olympic Qualification World Championships based on the successes of the World Championships of 1998 and 2006.
Canoe sprint is going through dynamic development all around the world; it has become one of the most important Olympic sports by now. The International Canoe Federation has more than 150 member national federations, proving that people pursue canoe-kayaking worldwide. I believe the professionalism, the value this sport has created, and the spectacular competitions have changed greatly for the benefit of canoe-kayaking. Those following the competitions of the 2011 World Championships will agree with me on this. We are organising the largest event in canoeing to date in Szeged where we are also expecting a record number of participants.
Sprint is the gala discipline of canoe-kayaking, but dragon boat, rafting, touring, slalom, canoe polo, ocean racing and marathon are becoming increasingly more popular. Additionally, canoe-kayak (paracanoe) will be added to the program of Paralympic Games starting in 2016, so the pool of the sport is expanding. And those who have grabbed a paddle once already will be forever lost to canoeing! This wonderful sport will raise young kids to be forever part of the canoe-kayaking family. Finally, let’s not forget about the message that is obvious even to the laymen: a man-powered mode of transport on water, the love for exercise and sports, protecting our natural resources and ultimately, the need for water conservation.
We will show the core values of canoe-kayaking at the World Championships. We wish to create a unique experience in Szeged supporting the modernisation and promotion efforts of the International Canoe Federation.
See you in Hungary in August 2011!
Yours in sport,
Dr. Etele Baráth
President of the Hungarian Canoe Federation
Dr. László Botka – Mayor of the City of Szeged
Welcome to the homepage of the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships of 2011! The City of Szeged will host such a grandiose event for the third time after 1998 and 2006 that will bring together athletes from about 100 countries on the banks of the River Tisza.
Life of Szeged has always been greatly influenced by water. The current face of Szeged, the third largest city in Hungary, has been undeniably shaped by Tisza River: Szeged has been established by the river, lived on the river and on one tragic occasion after massive floods, rebuilt on the river in its current shape and form.
The sand banks of the Tisza were already inhabited in the ancient times, and by 2nd century BC, there was already a permanent settlement by the fork of the Tisza and Maros Rivers. Trading in gold, silver, wood and salt, as well as fishing, commerce and riverboat construction ensured the development and growth of Szeged. In the spring of 1879 a never before seen flood wiped a flourishing city off the map. Reconstruction took merely 4 years, with a complete system of roads, exquisite architecture, and vast open spaces turning Szeged into a youthful and modern city. An incredible feat yet to be repeated worldwide to this date.
It is not a coincidence that such an ancient element, water is close to the heart in Szeged. Some enjoy the local mineral waters in spas for recreation or for cure by drinking. Beyond that, many see the water at the Olympic Centre on Maty-ér, or the Tisza and Maros Rivers as an ideal venue for helping them maintain a healthy mind and soul.
Generations of Szeged natives believe that canoe-kayaking is a dominant, community-forming part of their lives and tens of thousands of locals support the very best at international competitions on each occasion.
I am positive that not only the beauty of Szeged but also the cheering local fans will impress participants of the Olympic Qualification World Championships.
Szeged is looking forward to welcome you all, athletes, participants, relatives and fans. I wish all of you a time filled with unforgettable memories in the city of sunshine.
See you in Szeged!
Dr. László Botka
Mayor of the City of Szeged