An incredible wall of noise hit each athlete when they arrived on the startline for the Canoe Slalom competition.
With every stroke and every turn made by the paddler, the decibels increased helping to propel them down the course.
The roar of the crowd was like nothing athletes had heard before – even for those who had competed at previous Olympics.
It was a stark contrast from the experience in Tokyo three years ago where competition was played out in front of no spectators due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Brazil’s Ana Satila, who is competing in her fourth Olympics, said it was an amazing feeling to see fans back filling the stands.
“It’s so different here,” said Satila.
“I missed this noise so much in Tokyo as the energy of the public is really good and keeps you in a positive frame of mind.
“Even if I messed up, I knew they would be there for me, cheering a lot so I just wanted to give my best and give a show.”
Every athlete that came off the water after completing their run commented on the sensational support they received from the crowd.
"When I turned up, and saw how loud the crowd was, I couldn't help but feel the goosebumps and smile,” said Australia’s reigning Olympic canoe champion Jessica Fox.
The Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium holds close to 11,000 spectators and almost all seats were taken on the opening day of Olympic action.
Despite the wet weather, the fans did not stop shouting, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for those competing.
“Honestly, that first run was easily the best experience of my life,” said Great Britain’s Adam Burgess, who finished second in the men’s canoe heats.
"I've never paddled in front of a crowd like this.
“I just absolutely loved every second of it.
"The crowd were immense.
“I think the French are cheering for everyone, which we really appreciate.
"But I've got a lot of friends and family out there as well, which means so much that they're here this time after the experience we had in Tokyo."
Germany’s two-time Olympic medallist Sideris Tasiadis added: "It's incredible to see how many people are here.
“They cheer on every athlete.
“That is the Olympic feeling."
While all paddlers received a terrific reception from the crowd, there was an audible difference when the home favourites competed.
Nicolas Gestin and Camille Prigent gave the French fans reason to cheer on the opening day as they placed first in the men’s canoe and second in the women’s kayak on the opening day of heats, respectively.
“The atmosphere was insane,” said Gestin.
“I was so happy to race here.
"I'm really happy to take the front - I put my boat on the start and had to say, 'Nico keep your focus', it was so loud.
"It was so exciting.
“I just had to keep my calm.”
Prigent added: “It’s incredible.
“It's really pushing you at the beginning.
“I was impressed by all this noise on a heat day, but I stayed focused, and it really helped me during my run.
“I enjoyed the atmosphere during Nicolas' second run and imagined how it'd be for mine, and it helped me a lot.”
Jean-Michel Prono, Chair of the ICF Canoe Slalom Committee, is attending his ninth Olympic Games with his first coming at Barcelona 1992 and he said it was the best turnout for a first day of competition.
“It was amazing atmosphere,” said Prono.
“Even with the bad weather, it was almost completely full.
“The shape of the venue is like an amphitheater.”
With the remaining Canoe Slalom and Canoe Sprint tickets continuing to be snapped up, paddlers look set to compete in front of more packed-out crowds over the next 14 days of competition.
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