Canoeing-Paris experiences excitement of kayak cross before Olympic debut

FILE PHOTO: Competitors paddle during a Women's Kayak Cross qualifying race during the 2023 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, near Paris, France, October 8, 2023. REUTERS/Lucien Libert

VAIRES-SUR-MARNE, France (Reuters) - Paris got a taste of kayak cross on Sunday, when the World Cup drew capacity crowds to witness the excitement of this extreme canoe slalom event in which competitors battle for position though rapids and gates.

Kayak cross will make its Olympic debut at the 2024 Games in Paris, and locals got a flavour of what to expect, at the white-water Olympic stadium of Vaires-sur-Marne.