Great recognition for the Brazilian Joao Tomasini Schwertner (photo above), the former vice-president of the International Canoe Federation (ICF). The slalom venue for the 2016 Rio Olympics will be named in his honor. A posthumous tribute for the South American leader, who died in January 2021 after contracting COVID-19. The official baptism of the artificial canoe slalom river, located in Deodoro Park, was organized on Thursday February 3 by the Rio de Janeiro City Hall, through the Olympic Legacy Secretariat. Joao Tomasini Schwertner was the president of the Brazilian Canoe-Kayak Confederation (CBCa) for three decades. He twice served as vice-president of the ICF. He also chaired the Pan American Canoe-Kayak Confederation (COPAC). The slalom river built for the Rio 2016 Games currently houses a canoe school, also named after Joao Tomasini Schwertner.
