Nicolas Gestin wins canoe slalom gold.

France's Nicolas Gestin, ranked No. 3 in the world, cruised into the men's individual canoe slalom final Monday by posting a time of 93.12 in his semifinal run, more than three seconds faster than his nearest rival.

At only 24 years of age, Nicolas Gestin won the Olympic title, after having been world champion several times, in the cadet, junior and senior categories. Since the beginning of the Olympic Games, the Frenchman had easily dominated the competition, taking the lead in all classifications.

"I don't know what to say, it's better than my dreams. It's the best race of my life," he said after winning. “

For the rest of us, the word "rowing" is synonymous with difficulty. For Nicolas Gestin, it is simply second nature, a gesture that seems so simple on the white waters of the nautical stadium of Vaires-sur-Marne... The French athlete won the gold medal this Monday, July 29, 2024, at the end of the single-seater canoe slalom trials.

"Everyone on my team - my mentor, my brother and I - loved it. When I crossed the finish line, I knew I had done a great race, and now I just enjoy it.”

The result marks another winning performance by a French athlete at these Games, and the crowd roared its support for the new Olympic gold medalist as it has for each of the three 13 medalists who have preceded him at Paris 2024.

nd these Games have only just begun! The French team has already given us some great performances, and we can't wait to see what the rest of these Games have in store. Find out more about the French victories during these Paris 2024 Olympic Games.