Joe Clarke Finishes Fifth in K1 Final

Joe Clarke finished fifth in the men's kayak single (K1) final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, missing out on a medal despite qualifying fastest in the semi-finals. The 31-year-old former Olympic champion was hindered by small errors during his run, particularly around the seventh gate, which ultimately cost him a chance to podium. Italy's Giovanni de Gennaro claimed gold, while Clarke's final time of 89.82 seconds left him 1.6 seconds behind. Clarke, who was not selected for the Tokyo 2020 Games, expressed disappointment but remains focused on the upcoming kayak cross event, where he is a three-time world champion. Reflecting on his performance, he noted the fine margins in canoe slalom and emphasized the pressure he placed on himself to succeed. Clarke's journey continues as he aims for gold in kayak cross, set to start later this week.