Fans loving ‘brutal’ new sport for Olympics 2024 and say ‘this is BONKERS’ after making debut in Paris
KAYAK CROSS has become an instant hit among fans on its Olympic debut in Paris.
The discipline has been included in the Games for the first time and kicked off on Saturday afternoon.
It sees four competitors line up in their kayaks before they slide off a ramp and into the water as they look to reach the finish line ahead of their opponents.
They frantically paddle down the course past obstacles and capsize their boats when going under low-hanging beams.
But on one occasion lifeguards were called in to rescue an athlete who struggled to tip their boat back over as they were momentarily left stuck in the water.
The situation was swiftly diffused, but the sport’s chaos remains there for all to see.
And fans have taken to social media to laud the event’s inaugural inclusion at the Olympics.
One said: “This is absolutely bonkers!”
Another added: “Best sport ever.”
A third replied: “Like BMX on water.”
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While a fourth responded: “Just Awesome .”
And a fifth said: “I think we should rename it ‘Battle Boats’.”
Brits Mallory Franklin and Kimberly Woods won their first round races in the women’s kayak cross.
Eight heats will now take place on Sunday afternoon, with the top two in each qualifying for Monday’s quarter-finals.
The semi-finals and final will also take place on Monday.
What's happening today at The Games?
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY
TODAY’S BRIT MEDAL HOPES
Max Whitlock goes for an unprecedented fourth consecutive medal on the pommel horse (4.10pm)
Our dressage team can claim another gold at the equestrian (9am) after gold, silver and bronze at the last three Games.
Team GB will want to retain the 4x100m mixed relax relay (8.33pm) in the pool and Jake Jarman goes in the men’s floor gymnastics final (2.30pm).
BRITS TO WATCH
Tom Pidcock gets back in the saddle after his epic mountain biking gold with the men’s road race (10am).
It is the last day of rowing with GB in with a chance of more medals – especially in the men’s and women’s eights (10.10am).
GB take on Argentina in their final women’s pool game in the hockey (9am).
And Tommy Fleetwood continues his charge towards golfing gold, co-leading at -11 after a seven-under yesterday (10.44am).
GLOBAL STARS TODAY
US sprinter Sha-Carri Richardson and Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson will battle it out for women’s 100m sprint gold – with Dina Asher-Smith hoping to keep pace (8.20pm).
We also get a first look in the heats at 100m men’s stars Americans Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman who will battle with Zharnel Hughes for glory (10.45am).
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Badminton often slips under the radar at the Olympics but is always incredible viewing with lightning-quick reactions.
The women’s doubles final features four of the best players in the world as Indonesia face China (3.10pm).
STATS MAD
6 – As of Saturday morning, only six athletes have won the same individual event at the Olympics four times. Katie Ledecky could join that prestigious list – which features Carl Lewis and Michael Phelps – in the 800m freestyle (8.09pm). Vincent Hancock could also do it in the skeet shooting today (2.30pm).
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.