News

The canoeing season 2017 will miss some of the biggest stars of the last years because many of the medallists from Olympic Games, European and World Championships decided to end their careers after the Olympic season 2016. The next paddler to announce retirement from competitive sport is British canoe sprinter Ed McKeever MBE, Olympic Champion from London, 2010 European Champion and 2010 World Champion.

The 33 year-old from Bradford-on-Avon was one of the fastest paddlers in this sport which also brought him a nickname ‘Usain Bolt of the water’. He won everything that is possible in canoe sprint. He won both European and World Champion title in 200 metres event in 2010, but his biggest success came in 2012 when he won an Olympic Champion title in front of his home crowd at the 2012 London Olympics. He added additional four medals from World Championships, three medals from European Championships and a bronze medal from European Games to his collection.

“I am looking at the best way to stay involved with canoeing. It is something I have a passion for and I have really enjoyed it throughout my life, so I am certainly keen to continue in some way,” said McKeever who became a father four weeks ago which was also one of the reasons he decided to wave goodbye to competitions, “Having a son four weeks ago means that I want to spend some time at home and realistically you can’t also live the life of a full time athlete which is inherently quite a selfish one and doesn’t really fit with the life of a parent. I want to spend some time with my family and this has been a strong driver for my retirement. Being a dad is going well and I am really enjoying it.”

MEDAL RECORD
Gold medal – 2012 Olympic Games – London – K1 200m
Gold medal – 2010 European Championships – Trasona – K1 200m
Gold medal – 2010 World Championships – Poznan – K1 200m
Silver medal – 2014 European Championships – Brandenburg – K1 200m
Silver medal – 2010 World Championships – Poznan – K1 4x200m
Silver medal – 2011 World Championships – Szeged – K1 200m
Bronze medal – 2015 European Games – Baku – K1 200m
Bronze medal – 2011 European Championships – Belgrade – K1 200m
Bronze medal – 2012 European Championships – Zagreb – K1 200m
Bronze medal – 2014 World Championships – Moscow – K1 200m
Bronze medal – 2014 World Championships – Moscow – K1 4x200m

Source: https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/news/2017/mckeever-crosses-the-finish-line-completing-a-golden-paddling-career/