Preparations are underway in Taranto, Italy for next year’s Mediterranean Games with Canoe Sprint poised to return to the programme.
Canoeing is one of 32 sports that will feature at the Games which aims to unite the Mediterranean community through sport.
The Taranto Cimino Park Mar Piccolo is set to stage the Canoe Sprint competition, with races taking place from August 21 to 23, 2026.
A total of eight Canoe Sprint events will be on the programme in kayak and canoe in single and double boats.
- Men: K1 1000m, K2 500m, C1 1000m, C2 500m
- Women: K1 500m, K2 500m, C1 200m, C2 500m
The International Canoe Federation conducted a site visit at Taranto Cimino Park Mar Piccolo on July 29.
Jovana Stanojevic, ICF Technical Delegate for the Mediterranean Games, toured the venue and met with the organisers.
Among those officials included Giuseppe Di Palo, Sport and Competitions Director for Taranto 2026, Stefano Grillo, Technical Manager for the Italian Canoe Kayak Federation, and Laura Spinelli, Venue Manager or Project Manager for the Canoeing/Rowing Regatta Course and the Torpediniere Nautical Centre.
“A very thorough site inspection was carried out, finalising the project that meets the requirements of the ICF in terms of Canoe sprint competitions,” said Stanojevic.
“The Organising Committee is working very hard to deliver the best conditions for our athletes at the Cimino Park venue.
“We have established a very good cooperation and are looking forward to meeting a competition manager for Canoe Sprint to be appointed in September.”
Di Palo said: "We are proud to host Canoe Sprint in such a symbolic and strategic location as the Mar Piccolo. This venue, unique in Southern Italy and the Mediterranean, meets the highest international standards. The collaboration with the ICF and the Italian Federation is essential to ensuring a modern, technically advanced, and athlete-focused competition. It will be one of the most evocative moments of Taranto 2026, both for its setting and for the values of unity and sustainability it embodies."
Canoeing last featured at the Mediterranean Games in 2018 when Tarragona, Spain played host.
