McKeever, who remains one of the highest-profile names not to have guaranteed a spot at this year’s Games, where he will bid to defend his crown should he qualify, survived a scare as he could only manage third in his first heat.

That meant he was forced to race again in the semi-finals, where only the top three booked a berth in the final.

Fortunately for the reigning Olympic champion, he was able to come home in second place in a time of 35.231sec, behind Italy’s Manfredi Rizza, who won the semi-final in 35.226.

Spain’s Saúl Craviotto, who was second to McKeever in London four years ago, had no such worries as he qualified directly to the final by earning victory in the opening heat by clocking 34.253.

Olympic C1 200m champion Yuriy Cheban signed off during his heat and will therefore not get the chance to earn a second straight title at Rio 2016.

Peter Kretschmer of Germany, who won gold in the men’s C2 1000m at London 2012, will be able to secure his Rio berth if he finishes in the top two in the final.

Kretschmer has changed partners since his London 2012 victory and will compete with Michael Muller tomorrow.

In women’s competition, three events will provide six boats quota places and eight athletes the chance of competing at Rio 2016.

Sweden’s Karin Johansson, with new team-mate Sofia Paldanius, is on course to better the fourth place-finish in the B final at the last Olympic Games as they won the women’s K2 500m in 1min 44.856sec.

Also securing a spot in the final in the discipline was Lize Broekx and Hermien Peters of Belgium, who crossed the line in first position in the first heat.

Finals across all men’s and women’s races bring the two-day event in Duisburg to a conclusion tomorrow.