Olympics 2016: Canoeist Richard Hounslow was ‘destined’ to follow in his parents’ wake

Early starter: London 2012 silver medallist Richard Hounslow
Rex Features
David Churchill10 August 2016

Olympic silver medallist Richard Hounslow has said he was destined to become a canoeist — as his parents met while taking part in the sport.

Hounslow, who won the medal with teammate David Florence in the C-2 slalom canoeist category at London 2012, told how his parents’ love for the sport meant he first climbed into a boat before his second birthday.

The 34-year-old from Hounslow said: “My parents actually met canoeing — my mum was in the Girl Guides and my dad was doing the Duke of Edinburgh award at the same outdoor activity centre and I think they used to compete just for fun.

“They enjoyed it and wanted me and my brother to have it. If my parents hadn’t been canoeists, I would not have got into it so early for sure.”

Hounslow — who will be competing with Florence in the C2 semi-finals tomorrow — said he became so obsessed by the sport that at 12 he chose a life jacket instead of a new pair of football boots for Christmas.

He began competing aged eight while training on the Grand Union Canal at nearby Harefield. Hounslow said: “I never did sports just for a hobby, I was always desperate to get as good at them as I possibly could and really enjoyed it and it just really stuck. But my early twenties was when I thought maybe I could really make this.” He added: “The Olympic dream is what inspires me. I remember watching canoe slalom from a young age and being really inspired — going out there and winning that Olympic medal is what inspires me.”

Hounslow and Aberdeen-born Florence, who got into canoeing aged 13 after his father and uncle brought paddling boats to a family beach outing, have been on six training camps in Rio in the past eight months, hoping to gain an edge.

But there was disappointment for Florence last night when he finished last in the men’s canoe slalom after an early mistake. “I’m most disappointed not to have put in a good run,” he said. “I just didn’t really get it right today. I’m lucky that my Olympics isn’t over just yet.”

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