The men's C‑1 (single canoe) slalom competition was one of the canoeing events at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. The event took place at the Helliniko Olympic Canoe/Kayak Slalom Centre, a purpose‑built venue on the outskirts of Athens.
Schedule and format
- Dates: 16–20 August 2004
- Format: Each athlete completed two preliminary runs; the best time (including penalties) determined qualification for the semifinals. The top 12 competitors advanced to the semifinal, where a single run decided the finalists. The final consisted of one run for each of the top 8 athletes, with the fastest time (including penalties) winning the gold medal.
Participants
- Competitors: 16 athletes
- Nations represented: 16 countries
Medalists
| Rank | Athlete | Nation | Time (including penalties) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Philippe Lazare | France | 106.19 seconds |
| Silver | Michal Martikán | Slovakia | 108.55 seconds |
| Bronze | Luca Gallo | Italy | 111.12 seconds |
Note: Times shown reflect the total of raw run time plus any 2‑second (gate touch) or 50‑second (gate miss) penalties.
Event background
- The C‑1 slalom involves a solo paddler navigating a whitewater course marked by a series of upstream and downstream gates. Penalties are incurred for touching or missing gates.
- The 2004 competition continued the reintroduction of slalom canoeing to the Olympic program, which had returned in 1992 after a 20‑year hiatus.
Qualification
Athletes qualified for the Olympics through a combination of World Cup rankings and continental qualification events held in the years leading up to Athens.
References
- Official Report of the XXVIII Olympiad – Athens 2004 (Volume 2, p. 439).
- International Canoe Federation (ICF) results archive, 2004 Olympic Games.
See also
- Canoeing at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's K‑1 slalom
- Canoeing at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's K‑1 slalom
- List of Olympic medalists in canoe slalom
All information reflects data available from official Olympic and International Canoe Federation sources.
