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Silver for Team GB's Florence in slalom canoe

12/08/2008

David Florence has claimed Team GB's first silver medal of the Beijing Games after finishing second in the slalom canoeing final.

The 26-year-old started the day in fourth place but a near-perfect final run elevated him into the medal positions at Shunyi white water park.

"I've got an Olympic medal, I'm absolutely delighted. This really is a dream come true," Florence said afterwards.

"It's been a long, long time coming and means everything to me."

The event was won by Slovakian world number one Michal Martikan, while Australia's Robin Bell finished third.

"I feel like I've really earned my silver medal. Michal won this event in 1996 and has been around a long time," Florence added. "He's a very tough competitor."

In the other canoeing event of the day, Briton Campbell Walsh failed to make the final of the men's kayak single.

Germany's Alexander Grimm claimed the gold, while Frenchman Fabien Lefevre won silver and Benjamin Boukpeti of Togo took bronze.