There are very few paddlers in Rio who can boast about training on one of the most famous rivers in the world, but for Egypt’s Karim Elsayed that’s not necessarily a good thing.

21-year-old Elsayed trains on the River Nile, and while it’s incredibly popular for tourists and the lifeblood of his nation, it’s not a great location to prepare for your Olympic debut in the K1 200.

“We have few lakes,” Elsayed said after finishing seventh in his K2 200 heat.

“I’m from Cairo and I train in the Nile River. It is a stream and there is no stable water, so it does not help us much improve our level.”

But Elsayed also had the opportunity in the lead-up to Rio to train overseas, including in an International Canoe Federation program.

He said it improved his paddling a lot.

“We train in Egypt, but for the last few months have been in training camps,” he said.

“The first one was an ICF development program, it was beautiful and very important for us, because it has allowed us to train and to participate with good paddlers, and to take part in World Cups.

“I’ve got to a good level, but not the best. I still have to improve myself for the next Olympics.”

Elsayed is not the first Egyptian to compete in canoe sprint at an Olympic level. He said while it is still not a popular sport in his country, it is growing quickly.

And he said his appearance in Rio will increase awareness.

“Kayaking in Egypt is not a popular sport, but it’s improving step-by-step,” he said.

“We have increased our athletes, now we have canoeing and an increased number in kayaking.

“I think it will inspire others, because they know there is a countryman competing, and people will like kayaking to learn, to train and participate, and a lot of people will come to try.”

Elsayed finished with just the one race in Rio, not progressing out of his K1 200 heat. But appearing at the Olympics has inspired him for the future.

“I am very proud of my level and happy with my results,” he said.

“I’m only 21-years-old, and I have more to improve and achieve more. It was very hard, the race is not easy, because it is the Olympics.

“I’m racing against the best athletes in the world, but I’m happy to be representing my country and my continent in this event. It was my most important goal.”

The Egyptian took the decision to turn to kayaking after initially competing in rowing, and his love affair with the sport began almost immediately.

“I have been paddling for eight years,” he said.

“I was a rower before I did kayaking, but I enjoy kayaking. I have more chance in kayak, and I love it.

“I would like to improve myself to reach the podium in A events and to get a medal at the next Olympics in Tokyo.”