Getting set to 'welcome the world' to Lanier again

GAINESVILLE - Activity is picking up at the Olympic Rowing Venue on Lake Lanier with less than four months left before the 33rd International Canoe Federation Flatwater Racing World Championships.

Organizers, such as Connie Hagler of the Lanier Canoe-Kayak Club, say work is beginning on improvements to the site, including construction of permanent seating.

"There'll be some entry work done so the entry way to the site will be more attractive," Hagler said. "And, the most wonderful part of all that that we'll have bathrooms and running water on (the tower side) of the road."

All restrooms are now located across Clark's Bridge Road on the side of Clark's Bridge Park where the boathouses are located.

Hagler said that as of mid-morning Wednesday, 735 athletes representing 43 counties had registered for the Lanier Canoe 2003 World Championships which will be held in mid-September. More than 4,400 "room nights" have been booked by people who'll be here, with some planning to arrive September 1.

"The competition deadline (for registration) is July 27," Hagler said. "So, we won't know until then how many countries we have and how many people are coming."

More atheletes are expected for this event than were here for the Olympic canoe and rowing events in 1996. This is the first time this competition has been held in the U.S.

The national federations that are currently registered include:

Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Brazil, Canada, China, Columbia, Cuba, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Malaysia, Paraguay, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA Canoe / Kayak, Yugoslavia.

The Gainesville Rotary is sponsoring a developing nation program to host athletes from as many as 25 countries who would not otherwise be able to participate. The International Canoe Federation will provide funding for airfare, the Gainesville Rotary will provide food, transportation and housing.

The Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Paraguay, Uganda and Tunisia have currently accepted invitations to the program.