Soon after INSIDE THE GAMES published the news that Rio 2016 considers moving the canoe slalom venue to a distant venue, the ICF distributed the following press release.

The International Canoe Federation (ICF) is sending world-leading experts to Rio to carry out a comprehensive cost and design analysis of the proposed Olympic Canoe Slalom Venue.

This move was decided prior to the current speculation that the Canoe Slalom competition will be relocated 700 miles north to the Foz do Iguassu course.

The counter-proposal was suggested following fears that the construction costs of the Canoe Slalom course would be between 30-70 million USD.

The ICF is confident and has proven success of delivering Olympic-quality venues at significantly less cost than the quoted figures.

The Federation will now carry out a complete feasibility study of the proposed venue in Rio that will consider both the initial construction costs and the post-Games legacy opportunities.

The outcomes of this study will be combined with a further report on the overlay costs of relocating the event to the Foz do Iguassu course.

The IOC, Rio 2016 and the ICF will then consider the report with a decision on the venue to be reached by the end of 2013.

ICF President and IOC Member, José Perurena Lopez, said:

“Rio is a vibrant, multicultural and youthful city that lends itself perfectly to our sport. With a population of 6.3 million it provides a captive audience that our sport needs to drive participation across South America and deliver tomorrow’s champions.”

“The news of the possible move 700 miles north is disappointing and threatens to marginalize our athletes, the competition and the future of Canoe Slalom in Brazil. “

“However, we remain positive that we can deliver an Olympic-quality venue in Rio, on budget and on time.”