Hamish Lovemore, Esti Olivier and Bridgitte Hartley will represent South Africa in Poznan as they chase strong results and valuable points on the road to LA28.
South Africa (26 August 2026) – Hamish Lovemore heads into this week’s Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships in Poznan, Poland, with more than just medals on his mind, as South Africa’s paddlers look to make their mark on the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 27-year-old KwaZulu-Natal athlete has steadily built his reputation on the international stage and now finds himself among the names being considered as potential medal contenders at major events.
Lovemore arrives in Poland in particularly strong form after an impressive run at the World Cups in May. He reached the 1 000m final in Szeged, Hungary, finishing ninth before going one better a week later in Brandenburg, Germany, where he claimed silver in the same event.
He also picked up bronze medals in the non-Olympic 5 000m at both World Cups, adding further evidence that he is becoming a serious force in international canoe sprint.
His progress has been significant since last year’s World Championships in Italy, where he finished second in the 5 000m but missed out on the A Final in the 1 000m. With Olympic qualification points now being accumulated based on national performances between April 2026 and December 2027, every strong result carries added importance.
Lovemore and Esti Olivier are increasingly viewed as the two South African paddlers with the strongest prospects of challenging for Olympic selection, while Lovemore’s recent results have put a medal at LA28 firmly within the realm of possibility.
Olivier will focus on the shorter distances in Poland, competing in the 200m and 500m. Her best World Cup result in May was a place in the 200m B Final in Szeged, while she also reached C Finals in both events in Brandenburg.
Adding experience to the squad is 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Bridgitte Hartley. At 43, Hartley remains a familiar name in South African canoeing and will compete in the 1 000m and 5 000m, with the longer distance expected to provide her best opportunity to challenge.
All three South Africans will be in action on the opening day. Lovemore and Hartley will contest their 1 000m heats, while Olivier begins her campaign in the 500m.
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Team South Africa Prepares for World Waveski Surfing ChampionshipsThe 200m heats follow on Thursday, before Lovemore and Hartley return for their 5 000m straight finals on Sunday.
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