AN Olympic slalom canoeist's training preparations have been dealt a blow after he was left stranded in Germany while his rivals get to grips with conditions in Rio.

Johny Akinyemi, 27, from Padgate, is set to compete in the K1 men's event from August 7 at his second successive games.

The former Culcheth High School pupil, who represents Nigeria through his dad's heritage, suffered a delay on the first part of his journey to Brazil from Manchester and is currently stuck in Frankfurt after missing a connecting flight to Rio.


The athlete, along with dad and coach John, are on a waiting list but are waiting anxiously to see when they will be able to travel to Rio, with tomorrow's flights fully booked.

Training was due to start today, Monday, but instead of getting to grips with the water, Akinyemi has instead been forced to manoeuvre in and out of queues in Frankfurt.

He said: "I am on standby now but the flights are fully booked to Rio.

"Training should have started today and I am missing out – it is not an ideal situation and is really bad for my preparations. People are in Rio and will be training already.

"We spoke to Lufthansa last night but it is just a matter of queuing up and going online to see when the next flight is available.

"We don't have much choice of who to travel with as it is only Lufthansa and Swiss who take the canoes."

But it is not the first time Akinyemi, who uses the Bridgewater Canal for training at home, has experienced travel issues to and from Rio.

He said: "This is my third camp in Rio, the first time I got a big crack in my canoe, the second time I was delayed and now this.

"Not knowing makes it difficult as I can't plan."

However, once his £1,600 flight reaches its destination, the athlete, who is predominantly self-funded, is still confident of claiming a medal.

"There are three rounds and I want to get through to the heats, if you can get into the final then it is anyone's game," he said.

"The standard is so high and everyone is there competing at the highest level."

Akinyemi made history to become Nigeria's first canoe slalom competitor at the 2012 London Olympics.

And there is no doubt that all eyes in the town and in Nigeria are set to be on him once the ongoing travel woes are resolved.

He added: "My family will be having a bit of a party in Warrington I think.

"People are taking up the sport in Nigeria and we are trying our best to get more people involved – if people see me as a role model then that is great."

Warrington North MP Helen Jones has tweeted Lufthansa over the situation.

In the post she said: "I hope this is resolved soon."

She also said Akinyemi 'will do Warrington proud'.