Nine days into Olympic competition, gymnast Kyle Shewfelt has grabbed Canada's first gold medal in Athens with a brilliant performance in the men's floor event.

For the first time in the Athens Games, O Canada played as the maple leaf was raised over a Canadian winner.

"It doesn't quite feel real," Shewfelt said. "I told myself that I just wanted to do my best."

"Olympic champion, that sounds so good. This is a moment I've dreamed of since I was a young kid."

The 22-year-old Calgary native finished the competition tied with Marian Dragulescu of Romania with a score of 9.787, but was given the gold in a  tie-breaking decision. The tie-break, which is unique to Olympic gymnastics, drops each athlete's lowest score from each judge until the tie is broken.

Bulgaria's Jordan Jovtchev took the bronze.

Shewfelt's gold is Canada's first medal in artistic gymnastics. He dedicated the victory to his coach, Kelly Manjak, who has been working with him since he was six years old at the Altadore Gymnastics Club in Calgary.

Shewfelt nailed his routine, overcoming gymnastic all-around winner Paul Hamm of the United States, who stumbled at the end of his routine and came in fifth.

He won bronze medals in floor and vault at the 2003 World Championships, and gold medals in floor and vault at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Shewfelt placed 12th in the floor competition at the Sydney Games in 2000.

There were concerns that a foot injury suffered in March would hinder Shewfelt's abilities in the Olympics.

The gold medallist will also compete in Monday's vault competition.  

Another golden achievement

Canada has also won Paralympic gold with Montreal's Chantal Petitclerc winning in the 800-metre women's wheelchair race.

The event is a demonstration sport in Athens. While Petitclerc will receive a gold medal, the medal does not count in Canada's overall medal standings in Athens.