Hungarian kayak‑canoe championship moved from Velencei Lake due to low water

The university world championship in kayak‑canoe was relocated from the Velencei Lake shore to the Maty‑ér area in Szeged after water levels at the lake fell to just 54‑55 cm, far below the 130‑170 cm needed for competition. The event was to be hosted at the Kovács Katalin National Kayak‑Canoe Academy, a facility built at a cost that rose to 51 billion forints – an amount that could have funded the lake’s full water‑replenishment. The academy’s location and expense have drawn criticism, with officials noting that the lake has been drying for decades and that alternative sites, such as Budapest’s Hajógyári Island, were previously considered. The low water level also forced a halt to boating and swimming activities on Velencei Lake.