LAST UPDATE | 29 Jul
IRELAND’S LIAM JEGOU has finished seventh in the final of the men’s C1 canoe slalom at the Paris Olympics.
An error at gate 14 proved costly for Jegou, after a storming run to that point at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Centre.
That two-second penalty meant he was not likely to medal despite being temporarily in the bronze position with a time of 98.52.
The 28-year-old was seventh to go in the final, with the five fastest semi-finalists to follow.
Afterwards Jegou told The 42 that he had no regrets following his aggressive run.
“No, it’s been it’s brilliant,” he said. “I’ve put down a great run, great semi-final, super final. I can’t really ask for more.
“You know, you can think of the what ifs and this and that but I competed to win the Olympics today and took the risk all the way to the end.”
Jegou said he wanted to exit sharply out of the final gate and before that wanted to “really pick up speed” in the last few gates. On the final one he hit he said he “just did not control my back”.
He added: “My position in the gate wasn’t correct and picked up the slightest touch. I didn’t want to believe it, and I felt it.”
Overall he said he was satisfied by his controlled and aggressive run.
“Amazing, amazing. I’ve been chasing this feeling for 15 years and I’m not even going to say I almost did it today. Today I did it and it was great . . . I showed up. I’m delighted.
Paris 2024: Ireland's Liam Jegou finishes seventh in the final of the C1 canoe slalom final and insists he has no regrets, targetting a return to the Olympics in four years time.#RTESport #Paris2024
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France’s Nicolas Gestin took gold with a run of 91.36, finishing over five seconds clear of Great Britain’s Adam Burgess in second.
Slovenia’s Matej Benus was third in a time of 97.03.
Earlier, Jegou completed of 96.52 in the semi-final, picking up just two penalty seconds to set a time of 98.52, eventually placing sixth of 16.
Home favourite Gestin of France was fastest at 93.12, with no penalty seconds.
Jegou finished 15th at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Additional reporting, Sinead O’Carroll, at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Centre.
