Paris 2024 canoe slalom: All results, as Giovanni De Gennaro claims gold in the men’s kayak single

Italy's Giovanni De Gennaro put on a master class at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium to claim gold in the men’s kayak single final during canoe slalom competitions in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on Thursday, 1 August.

The Italian paddler was eighth quickest in the semi-final, but found time where others couldn’t in the final. He kept a calm, but efficient style, pointing his kayak down downstream towards victory.

“I think this is still a dream,” said the new Olympic champion. “I don't know and I can't believe it. I just want to see my family."

De Gennaro faced a monumental task after Spain’s Pau Echaniz threw down a blazing fast run to begin the final. Nevertheless, De Gennaro kept his nerve and held his form, navigating the gates without much difficulty.

He released all the withheld emotion at the finish, roaring with delight as his time flashed up on the scoreboard. His time would prove unbeatable, as the seven remaining paddlers failed to produce a quicker run.

De Gennaro was swarmed by his support team after Great Britain's Joseph Clarke crossed the finish line in fifth place, ending any challenge to his victory.

“It means everything. Everybody was on my side. I had a lot of people supporting me, especially after Tokyo when I couldn't make my run,” said the jubilant paddler. “Today I'm just happy that I could be myself and, with this result, it's just a dream come true.”

Where one dream was realized, another was crushed as France’s Titouan Castryck crossed the finish line an agonizing 0.2 seconds behind De Gennaro to claim the silver medal.

He was ahead of the Olympic champion for much of the run, but got spit out of a stopper in the final third of the course, causing him to lose precious seconds.

“I'm kind of disappointed, honestly,” said Castryck. “I knew I was really fast, but I just made a little mistake at the bottom part of the course. I know where I lost my time, and where I lost the gold medal, so yeah, kind of disappointed.”

He added, “I'm really happy still with this medal around my neck, but I still feel like I missed something."

Spain’s Echaniz may have missed a gate, but he certainly didn’t miss the podium.

The slowest finalist in the semi-finals sped his way down the course, weaving through downstream gates and powering through upstream gates.

He received a two-second penalty for touching a gate, but his mark stood as the third fastest of the day, snagging him the bronze medal.

Echaniz becomes the first male paddler from Spain to win a canoe slalom medal at the Olympic Games.

Canoe Slalom: Men’s kayak single podium

Gold: Giovanni De Gennaro, ITA

Silver: Titouan Castryck, FRA

Bronze: Pau Echaniz, ESP

See all the results on Olympics.com.