Derek Porter
Encyclopedia
Derek Nesbitt-Porter (born 2 November 1967) is a gold medal-winning Olympic rower from Canada
.
He was born in Belfast
, Northern Ireland
, and his father Hugh rowed for the United Kingdom at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
, winning a bronze medal in the eight-oared race.
Porter won his gold medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics
, stroking the Canadian Men's Eight. In a photo finish, the Canadian boat won by 0.14 seconds, just nipping Romania
, with two-time defending World Champion Germany
just 1.5 seconds back in third. Prior to the 1992 Olympics, Porter had rowed in the Canadian men's eight at the 1990 and 1991 World Championships, finishing second to Germany each time.
Following the 1992 Olympics, Porter took up sculling. In 1993, he won the Single Scull event at the World Rowing Championships, and was one of the favorites at the 1996 Summer Olympics
; Porter led most of the race, only to be passed by Xeno Müller
in the last 500 meters. Porter held on to win the silver medal ahead of two-time defending Olympic champion Thomas Lange
, who finished third. Following that achievement, Porter was awarded the Order of British Columbia
in 1996.
Following the 1996 Olympics, Porter devoted himself to chiropractic
school, and finished twelfth and thirteenth at the 1997 and 1998 World Championships, respectively. In 1999, Porter devoted more practice time to rowing and would go on to place third at the 1999 World Championship in the single scull behind Muller and Rob Waddell
.
One of the most anticipated rowing events at the 2000 Olympics
was men's single scull. In addition to Porter, it featured two-time World Champion Rob Waddell
, defending Olympic champion and three-time World Championship silver medalistXeno Müller
, and rising star Marcel Hacker
. The race lived up to the hype. Porter finished fourth in the closest Olympic race ever, little over 2 seconds separated first from fourth.
Following the 2000 Olympics, Porter retired from rowing and kept in shape by running triathlons. Porter recently started rowing again winning the 2006 Canadian national team trials event in the single scull. Porter had planned to team with fellow Olympian Jake Wetzel
in the double scull event at the 2006 World Championship, and possibly the 2008 Olympics, but shortly before the Canadian Speed Order trials, Wetzel hurt his back preventing the boat from competing at the 2006 World Championships.
He is the current holder of the Canadian record for indoor rowing.
Currently, Porter is a chiropractor
living in Vancouver
, British Columbia
with his wife, Helen Rhee-Porter.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
He was born in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, and his father Hugh rowed for the United Kingdom at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
The 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Cardiff, capital of Wales from 18–26 July 1958.Thirty-five nations sent a total of 1,130 athletes and 228 officials to the Cardiff Games and 23 countries and dependencies won medals, including, for the first time, Singapore, Ghana, Kenya...
, winning a bronze medal in the eight-oared race.
Porter won his gold medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
, stroking the Canadian Men's Eight. In a photo finish, the Canadian boat won by 0.14 seconds, just nipping Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, with two-time defending World Champion Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
just 1.5 seconds back in third. Prior to the 1992 Olympics, Porter had rowed in the Canadian men's eight at the 1990 and 1991 World Championships, finishing second to Germany each time.
Following the 1992 Olympics, Porter took up sculling. In 1993, he won the Single Scull event at the World Rowing Championships, and was one of the favorites at the 1996 Summer Olympics
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
; Porter led most of the race, only to be passed by Xeno Müller
Xeno Müller
Xeno Müller is a Swiss rower and Olympic gold medallist.His first international appearance was at the 1990 Junior World Rowing Championships - winning bronze in his single scull ....
in the last 500 meters. Porter held on to win the silver medal ahead of two-time defending Olympic champion Thomas Lange
Thomas Lange
Thomas Lange is a German rower who won two gold and one bronze Olympic medals in the single scull. He was born in Eisleben....
, who finished third. Following that achievement, Porter was awarded the Order of British Columbia
Order of British Columbia
The Order of British Columbia is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Instituted in 1989 by Lieutenant Governor David Lam, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier Bill Vander Zalm, the order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to honour...
in 1996.
Following the 1996 Olympics, Porter devoted himself to chiropractic
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. It is generally categorized as complementary and alternative medicine...
school, and finished twelfth and thirteenth at the 1997 and 1998 World Championships, respectively. In 1999, Porter devoted more practice time to rowing and would go on to place third at the 1999 World Championship in the single scull behind Muller and Rob Waddell
Rob Waddell
Robert "Rob" Norman Waddell, ONZM, is a New Zealand rower, yachtsman and rugby union player. Waddell has one of the highest VO2 max intake levels of any athlete ever tested. He holds the fastest 2000 metre indoor rowing machine time in the world, clocking a time of 5 mins 36.6 secs...
.
One of the most anticipated rowing events at the 2000 Olympics
Rowing at the 2000 Summer Olympics
Final results for the Rowing events at the 2000 Summer Olympics:The event is probably most noted for Steve Redgrave's winning his fifth Olympic gold medal in as many games in the British men's coxless four. However, there were a number of other dramatic races. Both the men's and women's single...
was men's single scull. In addition to Porter, it featured two-time World Champion Rob Waddell
Rob Waddell
Robert "Rob" Norman Waddell, ONZM, is a New Zealand rower, yachtsman and rugby union player. Waddell has one of the highest VO2 max intake levels of any athlete ever tested. He holds the fastest 2000 metre indoor rowing machine time in the world, clocking a time of 5 mins 36.6 secs...
, defending Olympic champion and three-time World Championship silver medalistXeno Müller
Xeno Müller
Xeno Müller is a Swiss rower and Olympic gold medallist.His first international appearance was at the 1990 Junior World Rowing Championships - winning bronze in his single scull ....
, and rising star Marcel Hacker
Marcel Hacker
Marcel Hacker is a German rower. He has won an Olympic bronze medal in 2000 in Sydney and became a world champion in 2002 in Seville.-External links:*...
. The race lived up to the hype. Porter finished fourth in the closest Olympic race ever, little over 2 seconds separated first from fourth.
Following the 2000 Olympics, Porter retired from rowing and kept in shape by running triathlons. Porter recently started rowing again winning the 2006 Canadian national team trials event in the single scull. Porter had planned to team with fellow Olympian Jake Wetzel
Jake Wetzel
Jacob Wetzel is a Canadian rower. He has represented both Canada and the United States at the World Championships and the Olympics. He was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.- College years :...
in the double scull event at the 2006 World Championship, and possibly the 2008 Olympics, but shortly before the Canadian Speed Order trials, Wetzel hurt his back preventing the boat from competing at the 2006 World Championships.
He is the current holder of the Canadian record for indoor rowing.
Currently, Porter is a chiropractor
Chiropractor
A Chiropractor, according to the Association of Chiropractic Colleges , "focuses on the relationship between the body's main structures – the skeleton, the muscles and the nerves – and the patient's health. Chiropractors believe that health can be improved and preserved by making adjustments to...
living in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
with his wife, Helen Rhee-Porter.
Olympics
- 20002000 Summer OlympicsThe Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, 4th, Single Scull (1x) - 19961996 Summer OlympicsThe 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
, Silver Medal, Single Scull (1x) - 19921992 Summer OlympicsThe 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
, Gold Medal, Eight (8+))
World Championships
- 1999, Bronze Medal, Single Scull (1x)
- 1998, 13th Place, Single Scull (1x)
- 1997, 12th Place, Single Scull (1x)
- 1995, 7th Place, Single Scull (1x)
- 1994, 8th Place, Single Scull (1x)
- 1993, Gold Medal, Single Scull (1x)
- 1991, Silver Medal, Eight(8+)
- 1990, Silver Medal, Eight(8+)