Sydney, 20 September 2000. C2 canoe/kayak. Marek Jiras and Thomas Mader (CZE), 3rd. Credit: Getty Images/Clive Brunskill

A whalebone and driftwood frame, with a sea-lion skin stretched tautly over it and waterproofed with whale fat, hardly suggests a budding Olympic sport. Yet the kayaks that meant life to the Inuits in the Arctic for centuries have become the racing kayaks of the modern world - even if the building materials have changed.

The link was 19th century British barrister John MacGregor. He studied the ancient kayaks, designed a similar boat and disappeared into the rivers and lakes of Europe's wilderness to become a noted travel writer of his time. When others copied his boat, he founded the Royal Canoe Club, and canoe regattas began a year later in 1866.

The sport reached the Olympic Games in 1924. Almost half a century later, in Munich in 1972, canoe/kayak branched out into the dramatic whitewater version, the slalom.

Competition

The slalom events, involving men's K1, C1 and C2 and women's K1 (denoting one or two paddlers in a canoe or kayak), require the paddlers to negotiate 20 to 25 gates in turbulent water over a 300-metre course. Competitors aim to complete the course in the shortest time, factoring in penalties.

Discipline's origin

Although canoe and kayak events were placed on the Olympic programme in 1936, until 1972 they were flatwater racing only. Whitewater slalom canoe racing became popular shortly before World War II with the first known competition occurring in 1933. World championships in slalom canoe racing were introduced in 1949. The first international federation to govern canoeing was the Internationella Representantskapet för Kanotidrott (IRK) which was formed in 1924. After World War II, this organisation was succeeded by the Fédération Internationale de Canoë (FIC), which governs both flatwater and whitewater racing.

Olympic history

Whitewater canoeing, or slalom canoeing, was first held at the Olympics in 1972 in Munich. The sport was not contested in the Olympics between 1976 and 1988, but returned to the Olympic programme in 1992. Slalom canoe racing has been contested ever since, with events in 1996 and 2000. During the Olympics and world championships, slalom racers compete in four events, three for men and one for women. Men compete in Canadian singles (C1) and doubles (C2) and kayak singles (K1), while women compete only in kayak singles (K1). During the world championships, slalom canoeists also compete for team titles. There are also wild-water canoe world championships in all four events, contested since 1989. The events have been dominated by Europeans.

In addition to competitive slalom racing, whitewater canoeists also practise by attempting to run very difficult rapids and rivers. There are numerous rating systems, but in North America the rapids are rated from Class I (the mildest) to Class VI (the most difficult). While flat racers must paddle continuously in a straight line, whitewater racers are propelled by the current of the water. They must develop the ability to slow down, stop, and turn around obstacles and racing gates.

Rules

No form of publicity of propaganda, commercial or otherwise, may appear on sportswear, accessories or, more generally, on any article of clothing or equipment whatsoever worn or used by the athletes or other participants in the Olympic Games, Boats,accessories and clothing may carry trademarks, advertising symbols (with the exception of tobacco products), emblems and words, except for the identification of the article or equipment concerned,provided that such identification shall not exceed a total area of nine square centimetres. The word " identification " means the normal display of the name, designation, trademark, logo or any other distinctive sign of the manufacturer of the item, appearing not more than once per item.

The uniform of the competitors and all persons holding an official position may include the flag of their NOC Olympic emblem or, with the consent of the OCOG, the OCOG Olympic emblem. The ICF officials may wear the uniform and the emblem of the International Federation.

Any boat, accessory, or article of clothing, which does not comply with the above conditions,will be ineligible for use during a competition. Teams are responsible for their own equipment

Helmet and paddle blades must display the NOC flag or emblem (size tbd).

At the Olympic Games, the names of the competitors will be placed on the side of the boats. The precis