But Petar Merkov, the Bulgarian who finished second, is involved in a drugs controversy which could yet see him disqualified. Reports in Bulgaria have alleged that Merkov tested positive for a banned diuretic - used as a masking agent for steroids - a fortnight ago.
The International Canoe Federation (ICF), the sport's governing body, have so far been unable to get hold of the test results, so Merkov's Olympic placing stands. But Great Britain's Alan Williams is one of 15 national team managers who have written to the ICF asking for the situation to be clarified.
Williams said: "Prior to the competition we heard of these test results and wanted to know the ICF's position. They told us the tests had taken place in a Bulgaria and they had not been able to make contact with the laboratory yet.
"That remains the case. Even if they do see the results, whether or not the test results will be officially recognised by the ICF is not clear because it wasn't a ICF test. But the whole thing seems very dubious."
Brabants added: "I am very happy with bronze and do not want to win a silver by default. But equally, if somebody is found to have cheated they should be punished."
Brabants was still only fourth with 250m of his race to go, but found a late burst which took him into third behind Merkov and Norway's Knut Holmann, who regained the title he won in Atlanta four years ago.
Britain have won medals in other Olympic canoeing disciplines - Paul Ratcliffe took silver in the K1 slalom event at these Games - but never before in sprints, which are raced on the same stretch of calm water as Britain's rowing successes.
"I think that this bronze is only the start for me and for the British canoeing team in general. We wanted to raise the profile of the sport and I think we have done that.
"If there has been a message for Britain from these Olympics, it is that minority sports are forcing their way into people's attention."
ICF seek clarification on Merkov
Merkov, the Bulgarian has been named by the Bulgarian media as among
canoeists who had allegedly tested positive at an event in Bulgaria in
July. The tests were conducted by a laboratory in Sofia that is not
accredited by the International Olympic Committee.
The International Canoeing Federation is seeking clarification from
Bulgaria at the behest of several team leaders in Sydney, including Alan
Williams, the team manager of the British kayak team.
Williams said that nothing could spoil this "great day" but confirmed
that he wanted answers to the Merkov question: "If he's not clean its
definitely not right...I've done what I could and now its in the hands of
the ICF."
The substance that the Bulgarians allegedly tested positive for was a
diuretic. However, the Bulgarian canoeing federation had failed to inform
the ICF. Along with Merkov, Marian Dimitrov was also named by the Bulgarian
media.
The ICF said that it is having difficulty contacting the Bulgarian
rowing federation in Sofia "because the phone is constantly engaged".
However, the Bulgarian Olympic Committee protested that so much fuss had
been made over "one newspaper article". They did not deny the report as far
as the possibility of a "problematic test" was concerned.
No such controversy surrounded the winner, Knut Holmann, who won his second straight gold in the men’s solo 1,000 and fifth Olympic medal, topping the career
total of wrestler Jon Roenningen to become Norway’s Summer
Games leader.
Overall, Europeans won all but three of the 18 medals
awarded for the six finals Saturday. Cuba took a pair of
silvers and Canada a bronze.
Birgit Fischer became kayaking’s all-time leading Olympic medal-winner with nine when she won the women’s four for the second straight time
and third in four Olympics to tie swimmer Kristin Otto and
Reiner Klimke of equestrian for most golds by a German at
six. She can go ahead on Sunday in the women’s two.
Fischer, 38, also extended her own record for the longest
span between golds by a woman. Her first title came 20
years ago in Moscow in the K-1.
"The numbers of medals is simply not that important to
me," Fischer said afterward. “I have another race
tomorrow, so there won’t be much celebrating tonight."
Despite her lack of enthusiasm, Fisher's performances have been astonishing. She has won six golds and three silvers, with gold at every Olympics from Moscow in 1980
to Sydney 20 years later. She only missed out on the Los Angeles Games in
1984.
Italy’s Antonio Rossi, who won golds in both K-2 events in
Atlanta, defended his 1,000-meter title with Beniamino
Bonomi.
Angel Perez, the Cuban native who successfully appealed against a
decision which said that he was ineligible to compete for the United
States, finished sixth in the four-man kayak.
CRAIG LORD
Sunday Times
