Tokyo Olympics

Stone’s champion canoeist Adam Burgess just missed out on amedal at this year’s Olympic Games, by 0.16 of asecond.

Adam, who trains at theStafford and Stone Canoe Club, has won numerous medals across the world but sadly just missed out on amedal when he took part in the Men’s Canoe Slalom final on July 26.

Adam said on his Facebook page after the race: “4th hurts right now (0.16!), but Iwon’t be down for long. “No regrets outthere today. Know Ican be proud of the composure Ifeltatthe start-line, and the focus and fight during my race runs. “Final was atough run, few mistakes and I had to fight to hold it together. “Proud Istayed off the poles to deliver something respectable in the end, justnot my best today. “Slalom/sport can be cruel. @benisavsek great value for the win with an awesome run and along time coming too. Congrats also to @lukas.rohan and @sideris.tasiadis for the podium.”

Adam added: “Support has been phenomenal. Thank you to absolutely everyone who took the time to send amessage,comment, video, voice note, call, made artwork. “It’s beenanabsolute pleasuretoplaymy small part in this Olympic Games forTeam GB and Ilook forward to celebrating the experience and sharing the stories when I’m home. “Special thanks to @jcbmachines for stepping in to support since March last year who without, arriving at this games this well prepared would’ve been impossible. “Coming home an Olympic finalist, but Iwas enough before, and Istill am. “Still Adam Burgess, still love abrew, still look abit like an alpaca.”

Aspokesman for the Stafford and Stone Canoe Club said: “Adam Burgess -Canoe Slalom Athlete you have made us all so proud. You gave it your all in Tokyo and did so well. Just pipped to the bronze, so close. To us you will always be our champion.”

Aspokesman for British Canoeing tweeted after the race: “Fourth for Adam Burgess. “It’s been abrilliant Olympic Games debut for Adam Burgess as he finishes fourth in the men's C1 final. “He put down afantastic and clean run, but misses the podium spot by 0.16 seconds. “It's aGames Adam can be proud of.”

Meanwhile, aspokesman for Team GB tweeted: “Great effort from Adam Burgess to finish fourth in the canoe slalom, just 0.16 seconds short of abronze.”