To add to the excitement of watching the flat water canoeists in action at this year’s Olympic Games, a new event over just 200m has been introduced, the previous minimum trip being 500m.

This will give competitors the chance to be the new record holder for four years at least, when things get under way at Eton Dornay in Buckinghamshire, on 6th August.

The canoe sprint paddlers will battle it out against each other to secure the fastest time, with men competing over 200m and 1000m, as well double races over the latter distance.

As for the kayak 200 singles, both men and women are set to take part, while the men will also race over 1000m, with the women asked to travel 500m.

Since gaining full medal status at the Berlin 1936 Games, European countries have dominated proceedings, Germany, in particular. One name that stands out is Birgit Fischer-Schmidt who collected no less than eight gold and four silver medals altogether between 1980 and 2004.

One of the big hopes for Germany, this year, in the 1000m kayak singles will be Max Hoff, while, for Great Britain, our best chance of success in the singles may once again rest with the reigning 1000m Olympic champion, Tim Brabants, who will be bidding to take part in the Games for a fourth consecutive time, should he make the line-up.

He only just got the better of Paul Wycherly in a photo-finish at the recent National Sprint Regatta in Nottingham, but he should improve again to secure his place in the squad.

As for the women, our very own Rachel Cawthorn has bounced back from a spell of illness, in 2010, to show her well being with wins over both 200m and 500m in Nottingham.

One of Rachel’s likely rivals for a medal is Nataša Jani? of Hungary but, if Rachel shows the same steely determination that she has displayed since her return, Great Britain can expect one or two medals on the water, at the very least.

If you prefer your sports on dry land, check out the boxing betting for news and gambling opportunities on Olympic pugilists. Alternatively, peruse the London 2012 Tips for advice on betting on London 2012, as a whole.