International Canoe Federation

The aim of the Olympic Solidarity Programme is to organise assistance for all NOCs, particularly those in financial need. They are encouraged to develop their own structures that will help the expansion of sport in their country.

The movement started in 1962 when Count Jean de Beaumont created the Committee for International Olympic Aid. This Committee later merged with a similar body set up by the Permanent General Assembly of the NOCs and, together these two became the Committee for Olympic Solidarity in 1971.

An increase in income, generated by television rights, allowed the launch of key programmes to assist the NOCs. With the programmes initially starting at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, the decentralisation of funds towards the Continental Associations was initiated in 2001. By this time, it was clear that the Continents knew best how to organise the funds and they should be free to decide on its allocation according to needs, priorities and interests.

Help from Olympic Solidarity comes in three different forms. First of all the World Programmes, which cover and reinforce all areas of sports development. Secondly, the Continental Programmes, are designed to meet some of the specific needs of each continent. Thirdly, the Olympic Games subsidies, complement the range of programmes and offer financial support to NOCs before, during and after the Games.

The ICF is involved in the Olympic Scholarship programme, (part of the third form, the Olympic Games Subsidies) and is helping to gather London 2012 hopefuls. As part of the programme, the ICF is currently working on a project to support technical courses around the world. These courses have to be applied for by the individual NOCs and to do this, the ICF encourages its member National Federations to apply to their NOC to have Canoeing as an Olympic Solidarity Sport.

An example of such is in Burundi where the NOC selected canoeing as their Olympic Solidarity sport. This African Nation is perfect for canoeing thanks to its natural assets. These factors include Lake Tanganyika, the climate, the enthusiasm of the athletes and leaders of the National Federation of Canoe Kayak, as well as the city of Bujumbura itself, which can act as a hub for other countries such as Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia.

Burundi's technical course was held in February when 24 students were taken through their paces by ICF Technical Coach, Mr Zdzislaw Szubski. The group was made up of both men and women, a large majority of them were from the coastal provinces and municipalities of Lake Tanganyika. The others were from the North Lakes in Kirundo and the North West country. The course, which included both theory and practical sessions, attracted much media and governmental attention. The Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture visited in person to show the interest that the country attached to the sport. Having been given a brief introduction to Canoeing, his enthusiasm was clear and he promised to support the growth of Canoeing with equipment and the organisation of national tournaments.

Talking to the participants, he cited the example of Badminton, which was introduced very recently in Burundi. It was a success and the first tournament produced a bronze medal for the country. He suggested that canoeists should follow these same steps and aspire to go further, to international competition and why not the Olympics in the future. Exactly the kind of enthusiasm and inspiration that epitomises the Olympic Solidarity programme.

Elsewhere on the African Continent, Malawi held its first ever Traditional Canoeing Regatta in March, under the guidance of the newly formed Malawi Canoeing Federation with the full support of the Malawi NOC. 20 potential athletes were identified to attend a planned Coaching Course, which will be held with the support of Olympic Solidarity, the Malawi NOC and the Confederation of African Canoeing.

Israel, another nation that has Canoeing as their Olympic Solidarity sport also held a technical course earlier this year. This course was to improve the level of coaching, Israel is at a different level. Other countries who have Canoeing as their designated Olympic Solidarity sport are Singapore and Sri Lanka.