The men's K-2 1000 metres event was a pairs kayaking event conducted as part of the Canoeing at the 1996 Summer Olympics program.
The top three finishers from each of the heats advanced directly to the semifinals while the remaining teams were relegated to the repechages.
The top four crews in each of the two repechages and the fastest fifth-place finisher advanced to the semifinals.
Germany led the first half of the race, but could not match the finishing power of the Italians.
Scarpa, competing in his fourth Olympics, won a silver in the men's K-2 500 m event the following day.