Paul MacDonald (canoeist)

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.

Paul MacDonald

MBE

Personal information
Full name	Christopher Paul MacDonald
Born	(1960-01-08) 8 January 1960 (age 65) Auckland, New Zealand
Sport
Country	New Zealand
Sport	Canoe racing
Event	canoe sprint
Partner	Ian Ferguson
Medal record Men's canoe sprint Representing  New Zealand Olympic Games 1984 Los Angeles K-2 500 m 1984 Los Angeles K-4 1000 m 1988 Seoul K-2 500 m 1988 Seoul K-2 1000 m 1988 Seoul K-1 500 m World Championships 1985 Mechelen K-2 500 m 1987 Duisburg K-1 500 m 1987 Duisburg K-2 1000 m 1982 Belgrade K-2 500 m 1987 Duisburg K-2 500 m 1990 Poznań K-2 10000 m

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

Career

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.

Honors and awards

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