Say hello to the new Olympic water sport that could rival Ally Pally this Christmas

By James Toney in Paris

If you're imagining a boat race involving two teams in different shades of blue speeding down the Thames, think again – welcome to kayakcross, the viral sporting hit of these Olympics.

Stoke's Joe Clarke and his British team-mate Kimberley Woods took silver and bronze as the discipline made its debut in Vaires-sur-Marne and social media went wild.

Forget the polite applause at the Olympic dressage at Versailles. This hyped-up crowd – bathed in the bright glow of the afternoon sun – was a non-alcoholic Ally Pally for Christmas.

However, karaoke and kayaking may not have been what Pierre de Courbetin had in mind when he founded the modern games over a century ago.

In the wettest and wildest ride of the games, four paddlers plunge five meters into the water in plastic boats.

Their double paddles serve two purposes. First, to navigate down the foaming rapids—with the help of upstream and downstream buoys and even a limbo stick—and second, as weapons.

It is strongly encouraged that you outrun your rivals as they make their way through the swirling swell to the finish line.

Clarke won gold in the slalom on his Olympic debut eight years ago, but was not selected to defend his title in Tokyo due to controversial events that led him to consider quitting the sport.

Woods – a bronze medallist in canoe slalom – has spoken openly about her difficult relationship with her mental health, which, for as long as she can remember, has been as rough as the water she paddles on.

Three medals in canoe slalom are Britain's best haul in the sport. Both teams stressed that they had benefited from the construction of a large drop-in ramp at their training ground in Lea Valley, made possible by National Lottery funding.

“I went into this competition wanting to win gold and that didn't happen, but I'm not disappointed in any way,” said Clarke, who is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on the World Class programme funded by UK Sport's National Lottery. The programme gives them full-time training, access to the best coaches in the world and groundbreaking medical support – which has been crucial on their road to the 2024 Paris Games.

“A silver medal for Team GB is absolutely amazing and I'm very proud of myself. To help the team win two medals in five minutes is amazing.

“We are just getting started here. I obviously didn't play in Tokyo, which was a big blow, but we recovered from that and I now have a silver medal around my neck.”|

Clarke was greeted by her partner Belle, her 20-month-old son Hugo and a large group of friends and relatives from home.

“Hugo wears his fan T-shirt with my face on it every race day and he picks it up in the morning, says 'Dada' and hugs it,” Clarke added.

“It's the sweetest thing you've ever seen. I'm very proud to have him here because he's my everything and I can't wait to spend some time with my family and my wife and son.

“She has gone through an incredible amount to support me and get me in this shape where I can win medals. I think she is very proud.”

Clarke, 31, missed the Rio Games and is now confident he will return to Los Angeles in four years.

“We're just getting started here,” he said. “There's definitely more to come and the fun factor is still there. When that's over, we'll stop, but for now I'm enjoying life.”

With over £30 million raised every week for good causes, including vital funds for elite and grassroots sport, National Lottery players are supporting our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to live their dreams and make the nation proud, as well as giving people more opportunities to play sport. For more information visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk