Bronze for British duo as curtain falls on action at Eton Dorney

By IAN STAFFORD

PUBLISHED: 11:02, 11 August 2012 | UPDATED: 20:51, 11 August 2012

 

Liam Heath and Jon Schofield rounded off the most successful Olympic Games British canoeing has ever enjoyed by winning a bronze medal in the kayak double 200metres final.

The huge Union Flag-waving crowd had barely calmed down after seeing Ed McKeever strike gold in the single version when Heath and Schofield managed to hold on to third place and win Team GB a fourth canoeing medal in total, one more than the target set by their coaches.

Making a splash: The British pair celebrate after claiming bronze in Saturday's race

The Russian pair of Yury Postrigay and Alexander Dyachenko took gold in a time of 33.507sec, with Belarussians Raman Piatrushenka and Vadzim Makhneu finishing second. Heath and Schofield, who looked good for silver until the final 50m, finished third in a time of 34.421sec.

The three-time European champions and former world silver and bronze medallists were delighted to have claimed an Olympic medal after expressing their disappointment with their qualifying efforts.

Flying the flag: The British pair pick up their bronze medal after the final Olympic event at Eton Dorney

'I'm happy because Friday was one of the most horrible days of my career,' said Schofield. 'You just can't come to an Olympic Games, especially a home Games, and perform badly. I'm therefore extremely relieved that we've got something out of it in the end.'

Heath agreed. 'It was a strong headwind out there which made it tough for us but we have a medal and that can never be taken away from us,' he said. The former cocktail waiter added: 'I might make and drink a red, white and blue cocktail tonight to celebrate.'

The pair also revealed how watching McKeever win gold inspired them to win a medal for themselves. 'To see Ed win gold so emphatically gave us a lot of confidence and inspiration in our final,' added Heath.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2186918/London-2012-Olympics-Liam-Heath-Jon-Schofield-win-bronze-Eton-Dorney.html#ixzz23HJSo3Nc

Gold No 26 for Great Britain as kayak sprint star McKeever races to glory

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER

PUBLISHED: 09:43, 11 August 2012 | UPDATED: 10:25, 11 August 2012

Ed McKeever stormed to gold for Britain in the 200m kayak sprint at Eton Dorney.

The 28-year-old from Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, led from the start as he powered over the line ahead of Spaniard Saul Craviotto Rivero and Canadian Mark de Jonge.

He punched the air as he crossed the line, splashing water at the side of his boat after winning gold.

There was a slight headwind on the lake which meant his winning time of 36.246 seconds was slower than both the times he recorded in Friday's heats and semi-final.

Winner: Ed McKeever looks proud to have bagged his Olympic gold in the K1 200m sprint

Making a splash: Britain's Ed Mckeever celebrates winning the men's kayak single (K1) 200m final

Sinking in: McKeever looked stunned after he powered his way to gold at Dorney Lake

McKeever said he woke up this morning at 5am 'like a kid at Christmas wanting to open my presents'.

'I am going to get that present in a minute," he told the BBC before his medal ceremony.

McKeever said the race was 'really painful' and a headwind made it feel 'that bit longer'.

'I was really just focused on the first two or three strokes and I wanted to nail those and get out cleanly,' he said.

Asked how he was feeling as he crossed the line, McKeever said: 'Just relief. It sounds strange. Not elation, more relief and so happy I could do it in front of the home crowd - it's brilliant.'

More to follow...

Raw power: McKeever saw off the likes of Spain's Saul Craviotto Rivero as he bagged the gold

Thumbs up: McKeever took Team GB's 26th gold medal at the London Games

Good show: Canadian Mark de Jonge, who finished in third place, congratulated McKeever

Asked how he felt about being dubbed the 'Usain Bolt of the water', McKeever added: 'Luckily I have the gold medal to go with it now. I am more willing of that tagline.

He continued: 'I am just so pleased that I could do well. I was really buzzing, in the zone and wanting to do well.

'I haven't made any long term plans yet. It could still go either way. I could have a career ahead of me but I am just waiting to see how I feel after this.'

He admitted he thought he might struggle with the headwind, adding: 'Because I am one of the lighter guys I am more affected by the wind.

'I was kind of out clean (off the start line) and just held on. I am just so happy. I am just so happy that I can contribute to the medals table. I haven't actually seen many other sports. It's literally been canoeing, canoeing, canoeing.'

Job done: McKeever pumps his fist into the air as he celebrates his victory

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2186929/London-2012-Olympics-Ed-McKeever-wins-gold-kayak-sprint.html#ixzz23EDT7YnO