Ten essential facts about... Ed McKeever

Ed McKeever is British kayaker who has been described by some as “the Usain Bolt of the water”. He is a former World and current European Champion. Here are his vital statistics.

Age: 28
Born: Bath
Sport: Canoe (200m sprint)

1. McKeever joined his first canoe club in Bradford-on-Avon aged 12 when a school friend introduced him to the sport.

2. He represented Great Britain for the first time aged 18 at the 2001 Junior World Championships in Brazil, finishing ninth.

3. He might be one of the fastest canoe sprinters in the world, but by day Ed McKeever is a trainee accountant with a degree from Kingston University.

4. He was originally training to compete in the 500m Olympic event until it was dropped in favour of the 200m sprint – significantly increasing his Gold medal chances.

5. Within a year of competing at 200m, McKeever was World Champion.

6. At his fastest travelling speed, McKeever travels more than six and a half metres a second.

7. He is engaged to Anya Kuczha, a 26-year-old PE teacher - and has reportedly left her in charge of wedding planning while he focusses on the Olympics.

8. His time of 34.2 seconds is one of the fastest-ever times over 200m.

9. On competing, McKeever says: “Winning races is quite infectious. You want to win the next race and so on”.