It took 11 years on the national team, seven world championship appearances and two Olympic Games but Steve Giles reached the top of his sport for the first time in his career by winning the world title at the 1998 world championships.

  One year later his ship sprung a leak. At the 1999 worlds in Milan, Giles, looking to successfully defend his canoe singles 1,000 metre world crown, thought he had false started. Unfortunately as the field pulled away, he realized his mistake. It was simply too late for the 28-year-old Lake Echo, N.S., resident to mount a comeback.

  Of course, that crushing disappointment certainly provides a dose of motivation to regain the world's top ranking at his third Olympic Games. But like Giles, the field in men's canoeing is powerful and experienced with little change in the top names for the past 10 years. Olympic champion Martin Doktor of Czech Republic, Andreas Dittmer of Germany and Maxim Opalev of Russia should be on the starters line with Giles in the Olympic final.

2000 Games
Sept. 30: Men's C-1 1,000m: Steve Giles, Lake Echo, N.S., won bronze medal.
Sept. 26: Men's C-1 1,000: Steve Giles, Lake Echo, N.S., was second in heat, advanced to final.

Photos
Steve Giles on the podium
Medalists in the 1000m C1 event
Giles holds up the Canadian and Nova Scotian flags
Steve Giles takes it all in
At the finish line
Giles celebrates his bronze medal
Giles congratulates winner Andreas Dittmer
Canoeist Steve Giles warms up
Canada's Steve Giles paddles to second place


2000 Games Canoe & Kayak Coverage