Finn Butcher of New Zealand and Noemie Fox of Australia entered the history books by becoming the first Olympic kayak cross champions.

Here are some quotes from the athletes as the event’s Olympic debut successfully concluded.     

Noemie Fox (Australia)

“I think I'm in shock. I was just so happy to make it through to the semifinal. That was my goal. Now just go and enjoy it. Today just went to perfection. I enjoyed every second. I journal a lot and I knew I had beaten everyone before, and I was trying to bring that. I wanted to do my own race and I did my own race and it's surreal really, to see one of my best mates (Finn Butcher) win, it's just so special.”

Finn Butcher (New Zealand)

“It's crazy. I don't believe it yet. Once I got out in front and turned in front, I was like, 'no way'. Those guys are so good. I'm proud to be the champion. The first one – that's pretty sick. Probably a bit too much, lost a bit of sleep. But I'm happy to be able to zone in and focus when I'm on the ramp, and rip into it. It's crazy to think I've got friends and family in the stand that have been there the whole way.”

Kimberley Woods (Great Britain)

“It’s a little bit bittersweet as I tried to go for that gold, but I am really happy to come away from here as a double Olympic medallist,” said Woods.

Giovanni De Gennaro (Italy)

“It was a tough race. Cross is something where anything can happen. We saw it yesterday with Jessica Fox. It’s a race where you have to be focused and just try to solve the problems, but sometimes the problems are too big and you just have to accept that.”

Luuka Jones (New Zealand)

“I ran a tight line and I guess when you're trying to make decisions and judge what others are doing I just made a small mistake which led to a penalty and I'll be kicking myself for a while. 

Evy Leibfarth (United States)

“I feel like I went into these Games with such a good head space and I'm leaving feeling really inspired and proud of my performances.  I had my dream race in canoe (single, claiming bronze). I didn't have the results that I wanted in kayak or kayak cross, but I think that's the sport a little bit.” 

Angele Hug (France)

“It is my first Olympic medal. I dreamed about this since I was four years old, so it is like a huge happiness today. The semifinal and the final were harder than my races before, but I did not slow down. I raced until the bottom and finally it was OK. I made it through right at the bottom and advanced.”

Noah Hegge (Germany) 

“It was crazy. It was a lot of pressure, so I was happy to be on the podium. My coach was saying just take it round by round. We did and I am really happy. It was my first time on the podium. It was very emotional.”

Joseph Clarke (Great Britain) 

“Obviously, I came here for gold. I fought right until the end. I won every round up until that point and I think that I showed I'm a competitor to be feared going forward. Unfortunately, I didn't get that start. Noah Hegge came across into my lane, so I couldn't get the strokes and get the power down, which is a bit of a shame. But I came away with the next best thing, which was silver.”