Rhea Srival's love for water sports has taken her around the world.
She traveled 331 miles through the Grand Canyon in a slalom boat when she was 11 years old. She competed in world championships in Brazil, Italy and Slovenia. Currently, Sliver is aiming to represent the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
To get to the Olympics, you'll have to pass through a familiar place: Oklahoma City.
Born to a Serbian mother and a Slovenian father, Slivar grew up in Northern California, but spent enough time at RiverSport OKC to appreciate the unique characteristics of its waterways. Sliver said he typically attends training camp in Oklahoma City every year, she said.
“Overall, I think this facility is great,” Sliver said.
While visitors may not expect the flat city to boast whitewater rapids, river sports have a strong reputation among serious athletes like Sriver, who competes in canoe slalom. The venue will host the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in canoe/kayak slalom and kayak cross on Friday and Saturday, spotlighting one of Oklahoma's hidden gems.
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Mike Knopf's ingenious idea has grown into a hot spot for Olympic hopefuls.
“I think that when we started doing this, people probably didn't fully understand or understand what this meant, because at the time it was was not necessarily part of our culture,” said Knopf, executive director and founder of River Sports. “But as we continue to do this, we are making Oklahoma City a true global sports destination.
“It's a huge honor to have so many of those opportunities that athletes have to stop before chasing their Olympic dreams.”
Oklahoma City will introduce spectators to kayak cross, a new Olympic sport in which athletes start 10 feet above the water and propel their kayaks through rapids.
However, this city is no stranger to the Olympic water sports scene.
This will be the fourth time since 2009 that Olympic team trials have come to RiverSport, which has been designated as a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training venue.
This outdoor adventure hub would not exist without Knopf's vivid imagination. Knopp, an avid rower who established the Oklahoma City University program, is not one to limit his dreams. As his revitalized Oklahoma River reached completion in 2004, Mr. Knopf envisioned an active water sports scene just southeast of Bricktown.
He understood that there were doubters.
“Honestly, this is probably the last place people would have thought of pursuing whitewater in America,” Knopp said.
The vast boathouse area had to be gradually taken shape. The original flat water course gained popularity and in 2008 River Sports hosted its first Olympic team trials. This event was held again in his 2012 year.
The RiverSport Whitewater Center then debuted in 2016 with funding from MAPS 3, a penny sales tax meant to bring public development to the city. Oklahoma City also hosted the Olympic Team Trials this year, in part because it has a flatwater course and a whitewater course in one location.
This month, the Olympic trials will add a unique element to downtown's bustling sports landscape. Fans flock to Paycom Center to watch his NBA playoff games with the OKC Thunder, and runners flock to his Memorial Marathon in Oklahoma City this weekend.
Mayor David Holt also co-promoted the event. Wearing his OKC Memorial Marathon jacket and pants emblazoned with the Thunder logo, he kayaked down the River Sports Channel the week before would-be Olympians did the same. The Olympic Team Trials are spectator free and scheduled for Friday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with Saturday's event starting at 9 a.m. and ending with fireworks at 8:45 p.m.
“Oklahoma City here is obviously going to be kind of the epicenter of the sports world for the next few weeks,” Holt said. “We definitely want to emphasize (Olympic selection). I think people are kind of used to how they relate to the NBA playoffs and the Memorial Marathon. This only happens once every few years, so we I really want to get the word out and I want to put in a really strong performance.”
Athletes expected to compete in the Olympics, including Thrivard and Marcela Altman, began training several days early. Altman, a Maryland native, is affiliated with her club Potomac and Whitewater Racing near Oklahoma City. But like Sriver, she is familiar with River Sports' winding courses and her unique background, which features the 844-foot-tall Devon She Tower.
“I really like the fact that they have two channels and the best training conditions in the United States,” Altman said. “It's definitely on par with world standards and it's amazing to be able to do that here within the United States. It's also a great place for growth for both current athletes and future generations, so we hope this venue will thrive.” I hope it grows.'' ”
River Sports hosts a variety of events, with more scheduled for 2026. The venue is the designated venue for the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships, expanding the global reach of the river sport.
As River Sports expands its reach around the world, the venue remains proud of its local roots. To foster connections within the community, River Sports will offer the Olympic Experience Interactive Fan Zone to those attending this weekend's Olympic Team Trials. Guests can not only stand near the waterway as spectators, but also experience the sport in person.
“When we host an event like this, we want it to be an authentic legacy,” Knopp said. “We want the young people in Oklahoma City to think this is something they can do. If you have the best venue in the world and you have great coaches, this is probably something the kids can do. This is your chance to inspire people to come and try it out.
“The mayor did that (last Thursday). It's a great opportunity for the young people here to go to the trials and see the athletes do well.”
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US Olympic Team Selection Schedule
Friday
- 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Canoe/Kayak Slalom Qualifying
- 10am to 1pm: OKC school field trip day
- 10am to 1pm: Olympic Experience Interactive Fun Zone
Saturday
- 11am to 6pm: Olympic Experience Interactive Fun Zone
- 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Canoe/Kayak Slalom Final
- 4:30pm – 7:00pm: Kayak Cross Contest & Finals
- 7pm: Live Music – Jeremy Rowe Band
- 8pm: Team USA announcement
- 8:45pm: firework
