Olympic canoeing is divided into 2 types, depending on the paddle used. Kayak events use a paddle which has a blade at each end. A canoeist alternatively paddles one blade on the left side and the other on the right side. One person canoes and kayaks are approximately 5.18m long. 2 person boats are approximately 6.4m long and 4 person boats are approximately 11m long. The lanes are 9m wide and the boats must stay in the middle, and can not come within 5 m of another boat. This stops competitors from gaining advantage by riding in the wake of another boat.

Each boat is allowed 1 false start, 2 is disqualification. Canoeing contests begin with qualifying heats. 2 or 3 winners of each heat advance to the semifinals. The others take part in the 2^nd chance round. The 3 or 4 fastest in the 2^nd chance round join the semifinals. Until 1984, the top 6 took part in a petit final to determine 7^th through to 12^th place. In 1984 the final was expanded to 9 participants and the petit final was eliminated.

This requires a canoeist to paddle down an obstacle course in much the same manner as slalom races in skiing. The courses are 340m long and include 25 gates, 6 must be negotiated upstream. The last gate is 25m from the finish line.

A 5 point penalty is assessed if a canoeist negotiates a gate, but intentionally touches one of the 2 gate poles. A 50 point penalty is assessed if the canoeist:

1. pushes a gate intentionally,
2. crosses the gate line upside down,
3. negotiates a gate in the wrong direction,
4. misses a gate,
5. touches a gate during failed negotiation and
6. crosses the gate underwater. The penalty points equals seconds. Each competitor runs the course twice, with only their better run as defined by both time and penalty points, counting.

Canoe/Kayak was introduced to the Olympics in 1936. After 1972 it was removed from the Olympic schedule, but in 1992 at Barcelona it was reintroduced. It will be held at the Penrith Whit Water Stadium in Sydney's West.

Canoe:Top 5 Countries

	Male			Female
Country	G	S	B	G	S	B	Total
Soviet Union	22	12	6	8	2	3	53
Hungary	7	18	13	1	4	5	48
Germany	9	8	9	4	5	1	36
GDR	8	5	8	6	2	1	29
Romania	8	6	8	1	1	3	27