BRADFORD on Avon's 2012 Olympic sprint canoe champion Ed McKeever has announced his retirement from the sport.

The 33-year-old won gold in the men’s single kayak (K1) over 200m at the London 2012 Games, although he was unable to qualify to defend his title in last year's Rio Games after he failed to qualify.

“Competing and winning a gold medal at a home Olympic Games in front of thousands of British fans is something that will live with me for the rest of my life”, said McKeever.

“Very few people get that opportunity so I am extremely grateful for all the support.''

"The memory that stands out for me was standing on top of the podium and singing along with the national anthem, especially knowing that my friends and family were there watching.''

The former St Laurence School pupil was dubbed the 'Usain Bolt of the water' and enjoyed a 17-year career that saw him regularly top podiums at World and European Championship level.

He claimed the first ever Olympic gold in the men’s single kayak over 200m at Dorney Lake, when the shorter sprint distance was first added to the programme in London, winning Team GB’s 26th gold medal of the Games and returning to a hero's reception in Bradford on Avon.

He married PE teacher Anya Kuczaj a month later and was then awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

World and European champion in 2010 and winner of five World Cup Series gold medals, McKeever missed out in Rio 2016 but was succeeded as K1 200m Olympic champion by teammate and training partner Liam Heath, who also won silver in the K2 200m with Jon Schofield.

The trio of McKeever, Heath and Schofield were a formidable training group led by their Russian coach Alex Nikonorov, delivering two gold, a silver and a bronze medal at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games in a successful seven-year period. 

“We had similar goals and knew how to work together as a team, with a healthy and competitive training environment, which really got the best out of each other”, added McKeever.

The Bradford-on-Avon Canoe Club member had enjoyed a stellar junior career under Kevin Bowerbank.

McKeever, a graduate of Kingston University in 2008 with a degree in Accountancy and Finance, continued to study for his ACCA accountancy exams and will aim to pursue a career in financial services.

He also recently became a father for the first time to son Peter, now four weeks old.

“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,'' he added.

"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.

"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.

British Canoeing Performance Director John Anderson MBE said: “Ed has been the consummate professional throughout his time on the British Canoeing international programme and he has continually delivered medals at the highest level.

"It was a proud moment for all those that witnessed Ed winning gold at London 2012, the culmination of years of training and dedication and it is undoubtedly the highlight of a very successful paddling career.''

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