Nicolas Gestin gave the home crowd what they came for, winning the men’s canoe final in sensational style. 

Adam Burgess of Great Britain and Matej Benus of Slovakia bagged silver and bronze, respectively. 

Here are the quotes from all medallists and some of the other competitors.

Nicolas Gestin (France)

“I don't know what to say, it's better than my dreams. It's the best race of my life. Everyone on my team – my mentor, my brother and I – wanted it. When I crossed the line, I knew I had put in a great run, and now I just enjoy it.

“It's a medal for France, for a system that carries me. We're always happy about moments like those. But having my close ones here, this little group that's been following me around for years, it's incredible. We've enjoyed this. I'm so happy to share this moment with them.”

Adam Burgess (Great Britain)

“There'll be no waking up in the night, wondering what could have been now. I really wanted to just leave it all out there today. I've paid the price and missed opportunities by being a little cautious at times. And I really wanted to just go out with confidence.” 

Matej Benus (Slovakia)

“It’s amazing. I am actually very, very tired but very happy. It is our first medal for Slovakia. My run was pretty good, but I was slow in the difficult combination in (gates) six and seven. It was easier for lefties, and I am righty, so it was a little bit tight. But there was no chance of winning today with Nicoals Gestin’s time. So I will take third place today.”

Raffaello Ivaldi (Italy)

“I feel totally disappointed. It's been one year since I was preparing for this race and everything fell apart. It's the worst thing that I didn't manage to be myself out on the water, and the biggest disappointment is that I wasn't able to perform in this big event. I didn't. I tried my best.”

Yves Bourhis (Senegal)

“Unfortunately, it's like that. It's sports. All I can do is accept this. But I have no regrets. It's incredible how much support the crowd brought me. I've been crying tears of joy for the past three days. They helped me to attempt some stuff out there. I thought to myself, people paid for this, so I might as well give them the best spectacle possible.”

Casey Eichfeld (United States)

“I was feeling really good in those first few gates. I was feeling good at the starting gate. I just had a small miscalculation and angle that I needed, and pressure to get to that gate, which I have done 100 times before this. I did it two days ago really well, just did what I could to try and get there.”

Tristan Carter (Australia)

“I'm still young, still feel like I've got a lot more in me. This is only the beginning. I feel like I can get a lot better. My goals still haven't been achieved yet, so I want to savour this, but we are moving on, and we will get cracking again.”

Benjamin Savsek (Slovakia)

“I was paddling really hard. I had a good run despite the touch on the gates - I was satisfied with my run, I was hoping for a podium. After I heard that the decision of the judge was that I intentionally touched the gate, it wasn't the decision for me, but I cannot do anything now. It's a little bit sad now."