2020 ECA Canoe Slalom Open Cup Tacen

With just over 800 days until the opening ceremony of the 2020 Olympic Games, it is essential that British Canoeing provide a clear line of sight to all athletes on the process for selecting the strongest Canoe Slalom Team to represent Team GB at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The primary opportunity to qualify the maximum of one boat per event will be in September 2019 at the World Championships in La Seu D’Urgell. This policy draft has been informed by the performance strategy to optimise athlete performance in Tokyo which focuses on 2 key priorities:  Clear focus on the qualification of the maximum boat quota at the 2019 World Championships  Early identification of the Olympic team and reserve

The proposed policy is very similar in strategy to the policy successfully implemented for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games which saw Olympic boats nominated in 2015. Further learning from that process has informed this proposal on which we are now seeking feedback. Under these proposals, 2019 senior team selection will see British Canoeing selecting the 2019 senior team which will then compete in further race opportunities to determine who will be nominated as the Olympic boat following the World Championships. The selection process is already in process as Senior World Championship

In 2019 the major race for juniors and under 23 athletes will be taking place in Rio de Janeiro on the 2016 Olympic venue on 1-5 May 2019. Due to the early race and the need for time to make arrangements for optimal travel and performance, it is proposed to run junior & under 23 selection in a combined series in March alongside premier events. Whilst the draft policy outlines clear proposals for senior team selection in 2019 and Olympic Team in 2020, the junior & U23 & Senior team selection policies for 2020 will not be consulted upon until the autumn of 2019 for publication in December 2019 in line with recognised timelines. Consultation is occurring earlier than