Kayaker Adam Varga said that while the sport of canoe-sprint may be where Hungary is hoping to win the most medals at the Olympics, the pressure comes not from the expectations of others but rather, the athlete's own self.

On Wednesday, the 23-year old Hungarian won the men's 1,000-metre heat by finishing over a second in front of Germany's Jakob Thordsen. This qualified him directly to Friday's semi-finals.

The federation does a great job, as they do not put any pressure on our athletes. Varga stated that she felt pressured because "I think I can be on the podium".

It's possible that I am under pressure, but it is not external.

Sprint canoeing and kayaking has more in Common with Rowing than White-Water Canoeing. The races are held on flat waters, without obstacles or gates.

Kayak racers (often abbreviated to K and followed by the number of people in the boat), sit on their boats and use two paddles, while canoeists use one paddle and kneel.

The nation will hope to win more medals at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium east of Paris.

Varga, the K1 Olympic Champion from Tokyo, raced with Balin Kopasz, the K2 500m Heats on Tuesday.

Varga stated that although it is not really a warming up race, the K2's good points make it feel like one.

On Thursday, the first medals are decided when men's double canoe and men's or women's four-person kayak finals take place on a 500m distance. Reporting by Philip O'Connor, Editing by Christian Radnedge

(source: Reuters)