ACOG - News - IBM

(30 July 1996; Day 11)

Germans Send Warning During Canoe/Kayak-Sprint Preliminary Races

In a sport defined by speed and agility, few countries have stepped into the spotlight of the sprint canoe/kayak competition as well as the country of Germany. During the first day of preliminary races in the Olympic regatta on Lake Lanier, the Germans sent out a warning to the other 45 countries participating ­ they will be the team to beat in 1996.

The Germans entered six boats in six races during Tuesday's action, and when the day was over, Germany had qualified all boats for either the semifinals on Thursday or the medal races on Saturday.

The German teams advancing to the finals include the men's canoe single 1000m, canoe double 1000m, and kayak four 1000m as well as the women's kayak four 500m. Those boats heading to the semifinals are the men's single kayak single, 1000m and men's kayak double 1000m.

At the 1992 Olympic Games, Germany won nine medals; six gold medals, two silver and a bronze. The team returns with high expectations of keeping its tradition of domination alive, and hopes to go back to their home country with more Olympic accolades. Heading the charge is the twosome of Kay BLUHM and Torsten GUTSCHE. In Barcelona, the dynamic duo was awarded gold medals for their top finishes in both the 500m and 1000m races in the kayak doubles. The pair will try for a repeat performance in both events at the Atlanta Games.

During their preliminary race on Tuesday, BLUHM and GUTSCHE took one step closer to a second consecutive gold medal in the kayak double 1000m event as they paced a time of 3:39.388 to outdistance the Danes by two seconds and advance to the semifinals.

"It was the first race and it is hard to estimate what will happen in the Olympics," said GUTSCHE. "As for another gold, four years is a long time in a sport. We will be happy to win a medal."

Teammates Andreas DITTMER and Gunar KIRCHBACH have a more difficult task ahead of them - maintaining the standard of excellence in the canoe doubles set for them by fellow countrymen Ulrich PAPKE and Ingo SPELLY during the 1992 Olympic Games. PAPKE and SPELLY won the silver in the canoe double 500 meters and were Olympic gold medalists in the 1000 meter event. DITTMER and KIRCHBACH defeated the reigning champions at the first German Olympic trial regatta in Mechelen, Belgium to earn a spot in the 1996 Olympic Games. The two seem to be fitting the shoes just fine as the pair qualified for the finals in the 1000 meter event as a result of their top finish in the preliminary race and like the kayak double team, will pull double duty in the canoe double 500 meter event as well.

"We felt good the whole race," said DITTMER. "In the middle it became hard because the head wind turned to the right side and we had to care for our direction. We hope to win a medal in the final, maybe gold."

The German women had their say during the first day of competition as the team of Birgit FISCHER, Anett SCHUCK, Ramona PORTWICH and Manuela MUCKE advanced to the finals with their top finish in the preliminary race.

"It was close to the Swedish team, but we were going well," said PORTWICH. "I'm glad that we won this race. This is giving motivation for the final. I love the venue site here and I am happy that I may compete here."

Germany qualified a boat in all twelve medal events in the sprint canoe kayak Olympic competition and will hope to advance its remaining six boats during Wednesday's preliminary races.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by M. Lynne Bragg.


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The volunteer staff of the 1996 Olympic Games totaled 50,152. They worked an estimated 850,000 shifts.