Video: Stone paddlers ready for world championships

Huge good luck to the paddlers from Stafford and Stone Canoe Club who are competing in the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships.

The major event takes place at the Lee Valley White Water Centre in Hertfordshire from 16th to 20th September, the first world championships to be held on British soil (and water) for 20 years. Hundreds of athletes from 61 countries will be taking part and this year’s world championships have the added significance of being the qualification event for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, as well as the first London 2012 legacy facility to host a world championships.

All the best to the athletes from Stafford and Stone Canoe Club who are competing for medals and a place on the Rio 2016 Team GB squad:

Article continues after this message

• Adam Burgess and Greg Pitt are in the Canoe Double (C2). Adam also competes in the Men’s Canoe Single (C1M), where he’s the current under-23 world champion
• Mark Proctor also goes in the C2 event with partner and London 2012 medallist Etienne Stott
• London 2012 Olympian Lizzie Neave goes in the Women’s Kayak Single (K1w)
• Joe Clarke competes in the Men’s Kayak Single (K1M)

The world championships will be shown live on the BBC red button on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September, with a highlights programme on BBC2 on Monday 21st September.

Here are video interviews with Adam, Mark, Lizzie and Joe from Sports Beat…

There’s more information about the championships on the official website at https://london.worldchampionships.events.slalom.canoeicf.com/home