Canoeing at the 1936 Summer Olympics — Canoeing at the 1936 Summer Olympics
Canoeing debuted as an official Olympic sport at the 1936 Berlin Games, with nine men's canoe sprint events contested for the first time.
Key Facts
- Number of events
- 9 (all canoe sprint, men only)
- Participating nations
- 19
- Total canoeists
- 158
- Competition dates
- August 7–8, 1936
- Venue
- Regatta course at Grünau on the Langer See
- Prior Olympic appearance
- Demonstration sport at 1924 Paris Olympics
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Canoeing had appeared as a demonstration sport at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, generating sufficient international interest for the IOC to recognize it as a full medal sport. By 1936, nineteen nations organized competitive canoe teams and submitted entries for Olympic competition.
At the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, canoeing made its official Olympic debut with nine men's canoe sprint events held on August 7 and 8 at a regatta course in Grünau on the Langer See. A total of 158 canoeists from 19 nations competed, though Latvia was excluded for submitting a late entry.
The inclusion of canoeing established it as a permanent fixture in the Olympic program. The 1936 competition set the foundation for the sport's continued growth in subsequent Games, with women's events and additional disciplines added in later Olympiads.
Result
at Regatta course at Grünau on the Langer See, Berlin