Paris 2024 Olympics: Amir Rezanejad Hassanjani out in historic first kayak cross competition at the Games
Amir Rezanejad Hassanjani went out fighting at his maiden Olympic Games coming painstakingly close to reaching the next round in kayak cross at Paris 2024 on Saturday (3 August).
The IOC Refugee Olympic Team athlete looked comfortable in his second competition at these Games after he was knocked out in the canoe slalom at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.
Hassanjani made a strong start during the time trial clocking the 32nd fastest time to make it into the first round. Faults in his run proved costly as he missed the automatic qualification for the elimination round before he competed in the repechage for a final shot at advancing to the next stage.
Hassanjani made no mistakes in his run during the repechage but finished third in his race with only the top two paddlers going through.
The 24-year-old Hassanjani fled Iran four years ago navigating mountains for 16 days into Türkiye before seeking refuge in Germany, where he now lives and trains.
Hassanjani started his international career in 2015 and represented the country of his birth 2017 ICF World Championships before he left Iran in 2020.