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Two canoeing legends Tony Estanguet, the Paris 2024 president, and his big rival Michal Martikan from Slovakia opened the men’s canoe final and enjoyed exciting action at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, where Nicolas Gestin claimed Olympic champion title in front of ecstatic crowd. He was unbeatable as he produced more than five seconds faster time than his rivals.

 

Gestin was leading already in the heats, then he was the fastest in the semifinal, which meant he will be the last man on the start of the final run. He held the enormous pressure and took the win and claimed fifth gold medal for France in men’s canoe at the Olympic Games, following three golds of Tony Estanguet and a gold medal of Denis Gargaud Chanut.

 

“I don't know what to say, it's better than my dreams. It's the best race of my life. Everyone on my team – my mentor, my brother and I – wanted it. When I crossed the line, I knew I had put in a great run, and now I just enjoy it,” said Gestin.

 

Great Britain’s Adam Burgess finished in second place, “There'll be no waking up in the night, wondering what could have been now. I really wanted to just leave it all out there today. I've paid the price and missed opportunities by being a little cautious at times. And I really wanted to just go out with confidence.”

 

Slovakia’s Matej Benus won bronze medal, his second Olympic medal after the Rio 2016 when he finished second.

 

“It’s amazing. I am actually very, very tired but very happy. It is our first medal for Slovakia. My run was pretty good, but I was slow in the difficult combination in (gates) six and seven. It was easier for lefties, and I am righty, so it was a little bit tight. But there was no chance of winning today with Nicolas Gestin’s time, so I will take third place.”

 

The defending Olympic champion Benjamin Savsek, who is also the reigning World Champion, was pushed out of the podium after 50 seconds penalty, while another Tokyo medallist Sideris Tasiadis finished fourth.

 

The canoe slalom at the Olympic Games continues with women’s canoe and men’s kayak heats.