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Paul MacDonald (canoeist)

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Paul MacDonald
Personal information
Full nameChristopher Paul MacDonald
Born (1960-01-08) 8 January 1960 (age 64)
Auckland, New Zealand
Sport
CountryNew Zealand
SportCanoe racing
Eventcanoe sprint
PartnerIan Ferguson
Medal record
Representing  New Zealand
Men's canoe sprint
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1984 Los Angeles K-2 500 m
Gold medal – first place 1984 Los Angeles K-4 1000 m
Gold medal – first place 1988 Seoul K-2 500 m
Silver medal – second place 1988 Seoul K-2 1000 m
Bronze medal – third place 1988 Seoul K-1 500 m
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1985 Mechelen K-2 500 m
Gold medal – first place 1987 Duisburg K-1 500 m
Gold medal – first place 1987 Duisburg K-2 1000 m
Silver medal – second place 1982 Belgrade K-2 500 m
Silver medal – second place 1987 Duisburg K-2 500 m
Silver medal – second place 1990 Poznań K-2 10000 m

Christopher Paul MacDonald MBE (born 8 January 1960) is a New Zealand sprint canoeist who competed from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. He is widely regarded as one of New Zealand's most successful international athletes and holds innumerable international speed records in canoeing.

MacDonald had experience in surf lifesaving when he started kayaking in the late 1970s.[1]

Competing in three Summer Olympics, MacDonald won five medals. This included three golds (K-2 500 m: 1984, 1988; K-4 1000 m: 1984), one silver (K-2 1000 m: 1988), and one bronze (K-1 500 m: 1988). His five Olympic medals is the record for the second most Olympic medals won by a New Zealander, a record he shares with fellow canoeist Ian Ferguson, and equestrian Mark Todd.[2]

He also won six medals at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships with three golds (K-1 500 m: 1987, K-2 500 m: 1985, K-2 1000 m: 1987) and three silvers (K-2 500 m: 1982, 1987, K-2 10000 m: 1990).

In retirement from professional competition, MacDonald has produced many television sports events and programmes including Clash of the Codes (the ultimate sporting challenge) and annually presents the Dragon Boat Festival.

In the 1988 New Year Honours, MacDonald was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to canoeing.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Paul MacDonald". New Zealand Olympic Committee. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Sir Mark Todd overcome with emotion at prospect of sixth Olympic equestrian medal". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  3. ^ "No. 51173". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 31 December 1987. p. 34.
[edit]
Awards
Preceded by Lonsdale Cup of the New Zealand Olympic Committee
1985 (with: Ian Ferguson)
1987
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Anthony Mosse
Succeeded by