French · Pau, France · Born 6 May 1978French slalom canoeist and the only paddler in the sport's history to win individual Olympic gold at three different Games, who later led Paris's successful bid for and organization of the 2024 Olympics.
Tony Estanguet was born on 6 May 1978 in Pau, France, into a canoeing family - his father Henri won medals at the Wildwater World Championships and his older brother Patrice won Olympic bronze in 1996. Estanguet competed internationally in the C-1 canoe slalom event from 1994, winning his first Olympic gold at the 2000 Sydney Games. He defended his Olympic title at the 2004 Athens Games in controversial fashion, benefiting from a late judges' decision to award a two-second penalty to Slovakia's Michal Martikán that flipped the result in his favor. After finishing outside the medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he had served as France's flagbearer, Estanguet reclaimed Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games, becoming the only French athlete in history to win individual gold medals at three different Olympics. He also won five World Championship titles and three European titles in C-1 across his career. Estanguet retired from competition in November 2012 and was elected to the IOC Athletes' Commission that year, serving for eight years. In 2016 he was appointed to lead Paris's bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics, becoming president of the organizing committee after the bid succeeded in 2017. He oversaw the Games through a budget capped at 4.5 billion euros and an emphasis on sustainability, stepping down as president in early 2025 before being elected to the International Olympic Committee itself that January. He holds a master's degree from the ESSEC Business School and helped develop the Pau-Pyrénées Whitewater Stadium in his hometown.
Becoming the only slalom canoeist in history to win individual Olympic gold at three different Games, before leading Paris's organization of the 2024 Olympics
How They Played
Technically precise C-1 specialist known for exceptional composure under pressure and consistency across multiple Olympic cycles
Lasting Impact
Regarded as one of the greatest slalom canoeists ever, whose second career leading the Paris 2024 Games extended his influence over the Olympic movement well beyond his competitive years
Career Honours
- 3x Olympic Gold Medalist (2000, 2004, 2012) - only paddler to win individual gold at 3 different Games
- 5x World Champion
- 3x European Champion
- President of the Paris 2024 Olympic Organizing Committee
French Athletes