France’s Nicolas Gestin followed in the footsteps of the onlooking Tony Estanguet with a dominant display to capture men’s canoe gold at the Olympic Games in Paris.
With the Paris 2024 President, a three-time champion in the event watching on, Gestin produced an incredible showing in front of a passionate home crowd.
The atmosphere was electric inside a packed Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium and the French fans roared Gestin to a stunning victory as he triumphed by more than five seconds.
Great Britain’s Adam Burgess secured silver, with Slovakia’s Matej Benus taking the bronze.
With the backing of the home fans, Gestin has been in inspired form, registering the quickest time in both runs of the heats and in today’s semi-final.
Going last in the final, the pressure was on the world silver medallist to deliver as France’s expectation for gold was immense – and he delivered in emphatic fashion, crossing the finish line in 91.36.
It is the fifth time France has claimed the men’s C1 title, with Estanguet winning three of them and Deni Gargaud Chanut taking the other.
“I don't know what to say, it's better than my dreams,” Gestin said.
“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.”
Burgess ensured back-to-back medals for Great Britain in Canoe Slalom thanks to his superb showing.
After yesterday’s bronze for Kimberley Woods, Burgess added another medal after posting a time of 96.84 that saw him move in front before Gestin’s stunning showing.
“There'll be no waking up in the night, wondering what could have been now," Burgess said.
“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.”
Benus ranked 11th in the semi-finals before putting together a brilliant performance in the final as he held on for bronze with 97.03.
It is his first Olympic medal in eight years after winning C1 silver at Rio 2016.
“It’s amazing. I am actually very, very tired but very happy. It is our first medal for Slovakia,” Benus said.
“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.”
Germany’s two-time Olympic medallist Sideris Tasiadis finished just 0.24 behind Benus to place fourth, while a two-second penalty for Spain’s Miquel Trave saw him end up in fifth.
Slovenia’s Benjamin Savsek, the defending Olympic champion and last year’s world gold medallist, produced a storming final section to edge ahead of early front-runner Benus.
However, his hopes were dashed when a 50-second penalty was issued following a mistake on gate five.
Senegalese Yves Bourhis’ celebrations were also short-lived.
He crossed the finish line quicker than Benus, only to realise he had received a 50-second penalty for missing gate nine.
