By Chase Wofford

The road to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney begins at Six Flags Over Texas as about 45 people take part in canoe and kayaking qualification races.

The event will be held on the Roaring Rapids ride. The event is closed to the public.

Six Flags came into the picture as a venue to play host to the event because of the San Marcos River's low water levels. The drought over the past year forced officials to find an alternate site, and Six Flags seemed to be the most viable option.

"We're a member of the regional sports commission, and this plays right into what our new market wants," said Dale Lockett, the president and CEO of the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Starting about a year ago, we started pursuing a youth sports market and matching up Arlington with other youth sports programs. This is the type of event we like to pursue, along with events like the Big 12 baseball tournament."

Officials hope this will only enhance the area's bid for the 2012 Olympic Games. Lockett said the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau has been involved with Dallas 2012 since its inception and said an event like the canoe and kayaking qualification races is an example of how the city could be involved in the Olympic Games.

Ben Kwanli, executive director of Red River Racing Team, approached the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau after it was concluded that the San Marcos River would not be suitable for the races. Kwanli knew the races had been held in a similar venue before, and the two parties were able to reach an agreement with Six Flags.

In 1994, kayak and canoe races were held on a rapids ride at Six Flags in St. Louis, Mo.

"The thing you like about this situation is it makes the competition more fair. And it's safe," said Lisa LeMaster, the spokesperson for Six Flags Over Texas. "Everybody had been praying for rain, and it never came. This all came together in a matter of days, maybe two weeks. Roaring Rapids had been mentioned as a possible place for the event in the 2012 bid, so this was not a new idea."

The Sunday races will also include Junior Olympic qualifiers. The canoe and kayaking championship races will be held at Six Flags in July for the juniors. The finalists for the Sydney Olympic Games will compete in the Olympic team trials in Tennessee in April. Sunday's event will include competitors ranging from 12 to 40 years old.

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