More than 200 athletes from 25 countries and four continents have entered the 2019 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships, which begin this Saturday in Sort, Spain.

The final entry list includes athletes from Argentina, host of the previous world championships, and freestyle powerhouse nations USA, Great Britain, Japan, France and host nation, Spain.

There are also entries from lesser-known freestyle nations Costa Rica, Turkey, Korea and Mexico. The biggest team is from Great Britain.

The biggest names in canoe freestyle will all be in action, including Spain’s world champion, Joaquim Fontane, exciting French teenager Tom Dolle and teammate Marlene Devillez, Great Britain’s Claire O’Hara, Japan’s Hitomi Takaku, and USA’s Dane and Emily Jackson.

Strong fields will also be on display in the junior competition.

Extensive work has been carried out on the Sort venue which will guarantee a world-class setting for the athletes, spectators and an international television audience.

The organising committee is also pleased to announce it will be putting on a ‘green’ event, with several initiatives to help lessen the impact on the environment during the competition. This includes re-usable water bottles and carry bags which will replace plastic bags.

The regional and town councils will also be implementing a waste recycling program, to ensure the town not only stays clean during the event, but also produces minimal waste.

The competition begins with the Squirt competition on Saturday night, not in Sort, but just five kilometres away in Rialp at El Pont de Pedra (Stone Bridge).

The competition then moves to the central venue in Sort, with the final night of freestyle under lights on Saturday, July 6.