OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A Canoe Slalom Olympian from Pennsylvania, who qualified for the games in Oklahoma City, is gearing up for his events in Paris.
"The whitewater is so exciting," said Casey Eichfeld.
Eichfeld is just days away from competing in men's canoe slalom in Paris.
"The Village is epic. It's so cool, it's just the city of Olympic athletes," said Eichfeld.
Until then, he's embracing his environment and being amongst athletes from around the world.
"You have no idea who they are, if they speak a language you can communicate with them in. You just take a shot and that’s how you get to meet really cool people," he siad.
"Have you made a lot of new friends from other countries?" asked News 4.
"I've been a little bashful so far but I have a couple weeks left," said Eichfeld.
Eichfeld said he was born into the sport.
"My parents were recreational paddlers," said Eichfeld. "They actually had a boat waiting for me when I was born."
Now at 34 years old, he's been to the Beijing, London, and Rio Olympics. Now he's about to compete in the Paris men's canoe slalom, after qualifying at Riversport OKC back in April.
"On the last run, I had exactly the run that I needed," he said.
Eichfeld also qualified for a new event, kayak cross, during the first Olympic trials for the discipline at Riversport.
"I'm a little nervous about that because I will be competing in it," he said.
"I've never done it before," he mouthed to News 4.
"Athletes start on a ramp like they do right here and they for at a time go off a ramp, fall ten feet. And basically it's full contact at the same time down the channel going around obstacles and then rolling under the water," said Mike Knopp, the executive director of Riversport OKC.
Knopp said Oklahomans should get excited and pay attention to the whitewater sports during the Olympics.
"We're going to be the spotlight of the world with these events coming up," said Knopp.
Knopp said next year is the World Ranking Event. The World Championships will be in 2026. Then of course, pending the Los Angeles City Council's decision, the possibility of hosting the canoe slalom for 2028.
"We're going to have people from all over the world" said Knopp.
Eichfeld said he can't wait. He already has 2028 on his mind.
"We're super excited to be going to Oklahoma City," he said. "Why not, you know, competing at your own Olympics in the United States? That would be epic."
Eichfeld said his competition starts the day after opening ceremonies.
Canoe Slalom competition begins Saturday, July 27 and continues through August 5.
