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