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| Abbreviation | ICF |
|---|---|
| Formation | 19 January 1924; 101 years ago (1924-01-19) |
| Type | Sports federation |
| Headquarters | Lausanne,Switzerland |
Region served | Worldwide |
President | Thomas Konietzko |
Main organ | Congress |
| Affiliations | International Olympic Committee |
| Website | canoeicf.com |
Formerly called | Internationale Repräsentantenschaft Kanusport (IRK) (19 January 1924–1946) International Canoe Federation (1946–) |
TheInternational Canoe Federation (ICF) is the umbrella organization of all nationalcanoe organizations worldwide. It is headquartered inLausanne,Switzerland, and administers all aspects of canoe sport worldwide. 157 countries are affiliated with the ICF after seven national federations were added at the 2008 ICF Congress inRome.[1]
On January 19, 1924, six months before the Opening Ceremony in the French capital, the representatives of four National Federations - Austria, Denmark, Germany and Sweden - met in Copenhagen, Denmark and created the “Internationale Representantschaft für Kanusport” (IRK). With the intention to become the global governing body of canoeing, they chose Franz Reinicke from Germany as the first IRK President. It was renamed to the International Canoe Federation in 1946.[2]
In light of the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the ICF suspended athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing at any International Canoe Federation events, and suspended all officials from Russia and Belarus from officiating at any event sanctioned by ICF, and from attending or taking part in any ICF meetings, committees, and forums.[3] In March 2023, theRussian Canoe Federation sent a letter addressing the ISF and urging them to reverse the decision and allow Russian athletes to compete at ISF events. The RCF's statement included claims that the war was actually started by Ukraine and that "Russia defends peace".[4] In May 2023, the International Canoe Federation reinstated Russian and Belarusian athletes, shortly after a Russian missile attack forced cancellation of a canoe event in Ukraine.[5]
There are five continental associations affiliated with the ICF. These associations are responsible for organizing continental championships, providing support for their member federations and communicating their interests at the ICF Board meetings.[13]
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