Participants in the Women's Kayak Cross race. GETTY IMAGES

The Vaires-sur-Marne Stadium was chosen as the venue for the six Olympic canoeing slalom finals held from 28 July to 5 August. Australian athletes were the standout performers, topping the podium on three occasions, while New Zealand, France and Italy each claimed one gold medal.

In the women's K1 final, Australian Jessica Fox excelled with a performance that earned her the gold medal with a time of 96.08 seconds. Fox, who had been Australia's flag bearer at the opening ceremony, demonstrated a significant improvement from her eighth place in the qualifying round, where she finished with a time of 104.38 seconds and a minor penalty.

In the final, her ability to navigate the 23 gates of the course, including the challenging upstream sections, was crucial to her success. With an impressive Olympic career, Fox further cemented her reputation as one of the greatest in canoeing history.

Jessica Fox competes during the women's kayak canoe slalom cross time trial. GETTY IMAGES
Jessica Fox competes during the women's kayak canoe slalom cross time trial. GETTY IMAGES

Poland's Klaudia Zwolinska secured second place in this category, finishing with a time of 97.53 seconds. Although Zwolinska started strongly, she faced difficulties in the latter part of the course, preventing her from overtaking Fox. Britain's Kimberley Woods took the bronze with a time of 98.94 seconds. Despite her solid performance, Woods was unable to challenge Fox's unbeatable time in the final.

In the women's C1 category, Jessica Fox shone once again by winning gold with a time of 101.06 seconds, despite a two-second penalty for touching a gate. This achievement made Fox the first athlete to win gold medals in both K1 and C1 at the same Olympics, a historic feat in canoeing. Germany's Elena Lilik claimed silver with a time of 103.54 seconds, while Evy Leibfarth of the United States completed the podium with bronze, recording a time of 109.95 seconds. Fox's victories in both disciplines underscore her dominance and versatility in slalom.

Nicolas Gestin celebrates victory during the Men's Canoe Single Final. GETTY IMAGES
Nicolas Gestin celebrates victory during the Men's Canoe Single Final. GETTY IMAGES

In the men's C1 final, France's Nicolas Gestin delivered an impressive performance to win the gold medal with a time of 91.36 seconds, without any penalties. Gestin showcased flawless technique and consistency throughout all rounds, surpassing his competitors by more than five seconds. His dominance in C1 slalom was evident, and his victory solidified France's position as a leading nation in canoeing.

Britain's Adam Burgess, a five-time world champion, secured the silver medal with a time of 96.84 seconds. Despite his experience and previous success, Burgess was unable to match Gestin's pace in the final. Slovakia's Matej Benus, a silver medallist from Tokyo 2020, took bronze with a time of 97.03 seconds. The competition in the men's C1 was closely contested, with athletes demonstrating a high level of skill and technique.

Giovanni De Gennaro competes in the men's kayak cross heats canoe slalom competition. GETTY IMAGES
Giovanni De Gennaro competes in the men's kayak cross heats canoe slalom competition. GETTY IMAGES

In the men's K1 final, Italy's Giovanni de Gennaro won the gold medal with a time of 89.51 seconds. De Gennaro displayed excellent technical skill and control throughout the course, standing out in a highly competitive final. France's Titouan Castryck claimed the silver medal, while Spain's Pau Echaniz completed the podium with bronze. Britain's Joe Clarke, the Olympic champion in 2016 and leader in the semi-final, finished in fifth place after making mistakes in the latter part of his run. The men's K1 final highlighted the high level of competition and the narrow time differences between the top athletes.

In the new women's kayak cross event, Australia's Noemie Fox took gold, further showcasing Australia's outstanding performance in canoeing. Fox, part of a family with a long tradition in the sport, demonstrated her skill in this discipline, which made its Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020. France's Angele Hug won the silver medal, and Britain's Kimberly Woods took bronze. Fox's success in kayak cross reflects her versatility and skill across different competition formats.

Noemie Fox competes in the women's kayak cross semifinal of the canoe slalom competition. GETTY IMAGES
Noemie Fox competes in the women's kayak cross semifinal of the canoe slalom competition. GETTY IMAGES

In the men's kayak cross final, New Zealand's Finn Buth won the gold medal in his Olympic debut. Buth, who had previously shown his prowess in the 2023 kayak cross World Cup, excelled in this exciting discipline. Britain's Joseph Clark earned the silver medal, while Germany's Noah Hegge took bronze. Buth's performance, along with the dynamic nature of kayak cross, added a new level of excitement to the Olympics.

Kayak cross, a relatively new discipline that debuted in Tokyo 2020, has gained popularity for its dynamic and competitive nature. In this discipline, athletes race through a course filled with obstacles and gates, allowing contact between participants, which adds an extra element of strategy and excitement to canoeing.