EKAITZ SAIES

Last Saturday, the Technical Conference of the Royal Spanish Canoeing Federation was held at the High-Performance Center in Madrid. This event brought together the coaches, analysts, and technical directors who participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to review the journey to Paris and the team’s performance during the competition.

The occasion featured a lineup of high-caliber speakers, reflecting the technical and professional excellence that defines our team, from those returning with their sixth Olympic medal to those who made their debut in Paris 2024.

The conference highlighted the significant progress Spanish canoeing has made, both in training planning and the use of advanced technologies. The evolution from the days when I was an athlete to today has been remarkable, and it’s encouraging to see that there are still projects yet to take off.

During my presentation at the conference, I addressed several highly relevant topics. One of the main aspects was a SWOT analysis of the sprint team’s participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses observed, as well as the opportunities and threats we face in upcoming challenges. Specifically, I shared my perspective on how we could leverage our strengths, reinforce areas that still need improvement, and aim to surpass these results in Los Angeles 2028. Undoubtedly, the challenges ahead also present a great opportunity for innovation and adaptation.

Another topic I discussed was the new World Ranking system proposed by the International Canoe Federation. This change signifies a paradigm shift for our sport, as it will redefine the way we plan our projects and design selection systems. With the new system, not only will the qualification process for the Olympics change, but strategies for competition participation and the overall approach to long-term planning will also shift. In essence, this change represents a new phase for international canoeing.

In my presentation, I aimed to convey a clear message: that in every challenge and adverse circumstance lies an opportunity. I am convinced that this team will know how to adapt to these changes with teamwork, resilience, and dedication. Our past achievements are a source of pride and an inspiration for the future successes we aspire to achieve.