The Vice-President of the International Canoe Federation, Lluis Rabaneda, used the first World Sports Diplomacy Summit in New York, recently held at United Nations headquarters, to highlight their benefits and long-term importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Around 50 experts in sport, diplomacy, and international relations attended the summit, which was organised by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research in the context of the\u00a02026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and begins this week. The discussions focused on the potential of sport to contribute to diplomacy, peacebuilding and sustainable development<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking in this symbolic setting, Rabaneda emphasised that\u00a0Olympic canoeing venues\u00a0continue to deliver lasting benefits to communities long after the Games have concluded. In his view, such facilities can become powerful drivers of long-term development, supporting sports participation, tourism, economic activity, and community well-being for decades after the world’s leading athletes have left the Olympic stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The summit took place one day before the second event of the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Series resumed in Prague, Czechia, from 5 to 7 June.
The series takes place at several venues that continue to have a lasting impact, including Augsburg,\u00a0La Seu and Vaires-sur-Marne, which hosted Olympic competitions at Munich 1972, Barcelona 1992 and Paris 2024, respectively. At the heart of Rabaneda’s message to the United Nations was the belief that sports infrastructure should be designed primarily for people and communities. He argued that the true measure of success lies in the long-term impact that facilities have on local residents, athletes, businesses, and future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Well-planned canoeing infrastructure generates far more than just sporting opportunities,” he argued. He highlighted its capacity to stimulate local economies, create jobs and encourage healthy living, as well as attract visitors and investment, and provide safe, accessible spaces where people can connect with water and nature. He further stressed that venues can become highly valuable community assets, bringing together people from different cultures and backgrounds.
To illustrate this, he pointed to several Olympic and international venues in the Pyrenees on both the Spanish and French sides of the border. Facilities such as the\u00a0Segre Olympic Park and the Sort Freeride Stadium, as well as venues in the French city of Pau, continue to operate as international training and competition centres. They also boost tourism, support economic development, and help rural mountain communities to retain their population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rabaneda stated that these examples demonstrate how\u00a0investment in canoeing infrastructure following major events\u00a0can continue to serve as active hubs for participation, economic activity and community life. Such infrastructure attracts visitors, supports local businesses and creates opportunities for future generations. The official called for greater collaboration between international federations,\u00a0national Olympic committees, governments and local authorities. He argued that the most successful venues are those developed through long-term partnerships guided by a shared vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During his speech, Rabaneda also emphasised the important role of sport in promoting peace, progress and international cooperation, as set out in the White Paper on Sports Diplomacy promoted by UNITAR. He welcomed the growing recognition of sport and Olympism within the United Nations system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ICF’s strategic vision, as set out in its\u00a0‘Fit for Future’\u00a0plan, also emphasises the importance of making the most of whitewater venues in order to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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