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Champions crowned again, new talents emerge - London 2012 - Canoe Slalom

Champions crowned again, new talents emerge - London 2012 - Canoe Slalom
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12/08/2012

Canoeing at London 2012 saw veterans shine again and new, emerging talent firmly establish itself on the international scene.

The sport's Olympic Games schedule kicked off with the Slalom at Lee Valley White Water Centre in Hertfordshire, where the spoils were shared.

In the men's K1, current world champion Daniele Molmenti cemented his place in the sport, and celebrated his 28th birthday with gold.

After such a promising run-in to the Games, the Italian held his nerve - something he failed to do at Beijing 2008 - to post a quicker time in the final than the arguably more experienced Czech paddler, Vavrinec Hradilek.

In the women's K1, France's Emilie Fer saw off a challenge from Slovakian world number one Jana Dukatova, who was left outside the medals.

But in the men's C1, the medals followed the form book as the 34-year-old Frenchman Tony Estanguet won gold.

It was the third Olympic gold for France's flagbearer in the Opening Ceremony.

But that meant disappointment for Beijing 2008 champion Michal Martikan. The 33-year-old Slovakian was left rueing costly mistakes as he finished third.

There was something for the Host Nation to cheer in the men's C2 - in fact they enjoyed double success - with Etienne Stott and Tim Baillie leading home a GB one-two, as they claimed gold ahead of countrymen David Florence and Richard Hounslow to start a new era for Britain in the sport.

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Discover the best photos of London 2012

  • 4th Olympic Gold for Bradley Wiggins

    London – 1 August 2012: In the space of less than a month, Bradley Wiggins won the Tour de France, then became Olympic time trial champion in front of a home crowd. Here he poses with his gold medal, holding aloft the British flag, with the pride of winning of his fourth gold medal at three Olympic Games, but his very first on the road.

  • Individual time trial podium

    London – 1 August 2012: Great Britain’s Bradley Wiggins (gold), flanked by Germany’s Tony Martin (silver) and his fellow countryman Chris Froome (bronze) on the podium for the men’s road time trial, in front of Hampton Court Palace in Richmond-Upon-Thames, Greater London. Wiggins won this event to take his fourth Olympic gold medal, but the first on the road... only a few days after completing the Tour de France on the Champs Elysées wearing the yellow jersey.

  • Bradley Wiggins unforgettable win

    London – 1 August 2012: untouchable in the time trial, crowned Olympic champion for the fourth time in his career, but the first time on the road, Great Britain’s Bradley Wiggins triumphant before his home crowd after winning with a 42-second lead over Germany’s Tony Martin at the end of the 44km race. He raised his arms and continued in the clamour to Hampton Court Palace where he was awarded his gold medal.

  • Bradley Wiggins untouchable on the road

    London – 1 August 2012: On the track, Great Britain’s Bradley Wiggins is a three-time Olympic gold medallist in the individual and team pursuit, and six-time world champion. On the road, he had just won the Tour de France. Supported by a host of people, he broadly dominated the individual time trial over the 44km route in the South West of London, finishing in a time of 50:39.54, some 42 seconds ahead of Germany’s Tony Martin to win his fourth title and his seventh medal in three Olympic Games.

  • Wrestling: Ghasem Rezaei was crowned Olympic champion in the 96kg Greco-Roman event

    London - 7 August 2012: Iran’s Ghasem Gholamreza Rezaei (in red) faces Russia’s Rustam Totrov in the final of the Greco-Roman wrestling 96kg category at the ExCeL Arena. Rezaei won 2-0 (2-0, 1-0), taking one of Iran’s three gold medals in wrestling at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

  • Wrestling: Ghasem Rezaei's euphoria at his victory

    London - 7 August 2012: Iran’s Ghasem Gholamreza Rezaei is knocked over by his coach on the mat at the ExCel Arena after his 2-0 (2-0, 1-0) victory in the final of the Greco-Roman wrestling 96kg category against Russia’s Rustam Totrov. Rezaei took one of Iran’s three gold medals in wrestling at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

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