Adam Burgess has won a silver medal in the men’s individual canoe on day three of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Adam’s silver medal is the first men’s C1 Olympic medal since David Florence, who also won silver in Beijing 2008.
“I’ve dreamed of this moment since I was ten years old,” he said following the medal ceremony.
“I was trying to keep myself calm. I was really trying to think about the little kid who was dreaming about this moment.
“I really wanted to go out and do myself proud. Show the world that I love this sport. I’ve done that.”
The Stafford & Stone paddler’s performance follows up on Kimberley Woods’ impressive bronze medal in the women’s individual kayak on Sunday.
“It’s a really special full circle moment for us,” said Adam.
“We train together day in day out. I like to think I helped her with her medal, and she’s really helped me with mine.
“When I fell off that wave, and I was changing up the eddy, I was thinking about Kim having to do a similar thing and get herself on the podium. I harnessed her energy and was so happy to see her at the finish line.”
‘Magical’
Burgess finished fourth on his Games debut at Tokyo 2020. Missing out on the bronze medal by just 0.16 seconds.
“The fourth in Tokyo was in the back of my mind when I was waiting for those final three athletes,” he said.
“I’d done all I could and gone into first. I let it unfold and I’m so happy I ended up on the podium.
“It’s the longest wait of your life. When I saw I’d gone into first, it was magical.”
Adam made a strong start in the final, looking composed and assured, after qualifying fourth fastest.
Despite getting into difficulty on the approach to the troublesome gate 17, he fought back strongly upstream to keep his clean run going.
Powering through the final section of the course, Adam went into the lead recording the first time under 97 seconds, with only three paddlers to go.
‘Phenomenal Gestin’
Sideris Tasiadis, of Germany, failed to break into the top three, meaning the world number 11 was guaranteed a medal.
Miquel Trave, of Spain, the second fastest in the semi-final, could only record 97.92 after a two second penalty – leaving Adam with at least silver.
However, France’s Nicolas Gestin, roared on by the home crowd, recorded an incredible 91.36 at the packed sun soaked Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, to win gold.
“Gestin was phenomenal,” said Adam. “I’ve trained with him lots and he was always going to be a force on this course.”
Matej Benus, of Slovakia, won the bronze medal.
Coached by Craig Morris at Lee Valley White Water Centre, Adam will be back in action in the kayak cross, which starts with the time trials on Friday 2 August.
On Tuesday, Olympic medallists Mallory Franklin and Joe Clarke MBE, who start their campaigns with the qualifying heats for the women’s C1 and men’s K1.
You can catch the Team GB canoe slalom/kayak cross team on Eurosport 1, Discovery+ and BBC One throughout the day.
Further information can be found on the Paddle UK Paris 2024 website.
How to Watch
The BBC will bring you extensive coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympics across TV, iPlayer, Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app.
Broadcaster Discovery+ is the rights holder for Paris 2024 and is showing every moment of the Games in the UK.
This includes ALL of the canoe slalom action.
Across the Discovery+ app and Eurosport channels in the UK, more than 3,800 hours of live coverage will be aired in total from 07:00 to 22:30 BST each day.
Discovery+ and Eurosport requires a subscription. You can find more information here.