THERE will be no regrets when Wiltshire kayak king Ed McKeever looks back over his illustrious career after making the ‘natural decision' to step away from the sport this week.

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

Rather than that disappointment, though, it was the arrival of first child Peter, with wife Anya last month, that prompted the beginning of the end for McKeever.

“I gradually realised at home, there wasn’t a sudden point,” he explained, after announcing his retirement on Monday.

“It’s a major lifestyle shift and being an athlete is inherently selfish and doesn’t really fit that well with the lifestyle of a parent.

“Essentially, I have achieved everything I set out to achieve in the sport and it would be quite nice to get on and live a normal life.”

The former St Laurence School pupil enjoyed a 17-year career that also saw him top podiums at World and European Championship level.

At London 2012, he claimed the first-ever Olympic gold in the men’s K1 200m at Dorney Lake, before returning to a hero’s reception in Bradford on Avon.

The achievement earned him an MBE and a golden postbox in his home town, which will be a lasting reminder of the pinnacle of his sporting career.

“That is something that will live with me for the rest of my life,” said McKeever. “Not just because I have got a big lump of metal upstairs, the memories were phenomenal.

“Not many people get the chance to win the Olympics, let alone in your home country, with 20,000 people watching you cross the line.

“That day (his Bradford homecoming), I am sure there was more than the population of Bradford out, that was amazing in itself.

“I post a letter in (the gold post box) when I have got one to hand. It’s nice that there is a little bit of a legacy there, just in case I forget.”

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 now aim to pursue a career in financial services in the wake of his retirement.

“It's not the natural choice for an athlete but it is nice to have that chalk and cheese balance,” he added.

“Someone who would work throughout the day, they would go out in the evening canoeing – my life was essentially the opposite of that.

“Now I have probably switched things around and will have canoeing as a recreational hobby and the work as work.”