The event in Liptovsky Mikulaš is doubling as an Olympic Games qualifier this year, with canoeists from 30 countries set to battle it out for the top places.

Countries not awarded a quota place for Rio at last year's World Championships in London will be able to seal their Olympic progression.

However, only one spot remains in each of the four Olympic disciplines - K1 for men and women and C1 and C2 for men.

Austria, Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Spain and hosts Slovakia are the countries to have qualified Rio boats already across the four classes.

Out of these, Azerbaijan, France, Germany, Britain and Spain have already picked their competitors for Rio, but for the other countries the action in Slovakia will help determine their selections.

Tomorrow's action will begin with heats in the men's C1, C2 and K1, as well as the women's K1.

The women's C1, a non-Olympic discipline, will also begin tomorrow.

Finals in the men's C1 and K1 and women's C1 will be held on Saturday (May 14) before the women's K1 and men's C2 finals on Sunday (May 15).