Stephen Bird (Canoe Sprint - K2 200)

Can the South African born athlete close the gap on the worlds

top K2 200 paddlers and push for a medal in London?

Undefeated in two years at national level, Bird has formed a formidable K2 200 partnership with fellow Western Australia Jesse Phillips with the duo winning the last three consecutive K2 200m National titles.

The WAIS duo earned the right to be nominated to the Australian Olympic Committee for 2012 London Olympic Games after posting victories at the Oceania and National Championships over Queensland rivals Matt Urquhart and Joel Simpson.

Coached by Ramon Andersson, the 23 year old looks set for a big 2012 and an exciting future in the sport, and will make his Olympic debut in London this year. Year on Senior Team? 3 years

Nickname: Birdy

When/Where/Why did you begin Kayaking? I started in 1996 at 8 years of age in a small farming village called Richmond in South Africa. Funnily enough, my uncle and his family immigrated to Australia in 1996 and happened to leave 2 kayaks in our back yard. A single and a double. Soon enough, my brother and I were taking to the water on the many dams and rivers which we had on the farm. This is where I found my love for the sport. Spending hours in the water, messing around. Kayaking was offered as a school sport and I soon found that slogging it out on the cricket field for hours on end wasn't going to last! I Dabbled in all disciplines of sport including slalom, down river, marathon and sprinting.

Greatest Sporting Achievement? Olympic Nomination/Selection.

What are your future goals? Own my own business, win a medal at the Olympics, Study Psychology.

What keeps you busy outside of the sport? Work, University, friends, family and fishing.

Greatest Influence on your career? The high school I attended in South Africa, Michaelhouse. The values I was taught were invaluable and shape who I am today. I would also have to say my family, their unconditional support and encouragement has been very important to me.

Who inspires you? Anyone who works hard and attains their goals (not only in sport).

What are you looking forward to most about competing in London? The opening ceremony will be very inspiring, but I am mostly looking forward to using the Games to reflect on all the hard work that it has taken to get to this point.

Which athlete do you respect/fear the most? I have considerable respect for anyone competing at the highest level.

Favourite Australian Personality? Former Wallabies captain John Eales.

Best Advice you've ever received? Believe in yourself.

Favourite Olympic childhood memory? Cathy Freeman winning the women’s 400m.

Education/Employment? Finished year 12 at Michaelhouse High School. Currently enrolled in a commerce degree at Curtin University. Work for The Salvation Army Employment Plus, placing long term unemployed job seekers into employment.

DOB: 11/05/1988 (Born in South Africa)

Lives: Perth, WA

Institute/Academy: AIS / WAIS

Club: Canning River Canoe Club

Coach: Ramon Andersson

Awards 2011 Western Australian ANZ Sports Awards - Team of the Year (K2 200 with Jesse Phillips).

Results 2012 3rd (K2 200) - ICF World Cup 3 (Moscow, RUS) 9th (K2 200) - ICF World Cup 2 (Duisburg, GER) 2nd (K2 200) (B Final) - ICF World Cup 1 (Poznan, POL) 1st (K2 200) - Oceania Championships (SIRC, NSW) 1st (K2 200) - National Championships (SIRC, NSW) 1st (K2 200) - Paddle NSW Championships (SIRC, NSW) 1st (K2 200) - Grand Prix 1 (Champion Lakes, WA) 1st (K2 1000) - Grand Prix 1 (Champion Lakes, WA) 2nd (K1 200) - Grand Prix 1 (Champion Lakes, WA) 5th (K1 200) - Paddle NSW Championships (SIRC, NSW

2011 8th (K2 200m) - ICF World Cup 1 (Poznan, POL) 8th (K2 500m) - ICF World Cup 2 (Racice, CZE) 9th (K2 500m) - ICF World Cup 1 (Poznan, POL) 14th (K2 200m) - World Championships (Szeged, Hungary) 1st (K2 200m) - National Championships (West Lakes, SA)1st (K2 500m) - National Championships (West Lakes, SA)2nd (K4 200m) - National Championships (West Lakes, SA)

2010 2nd (K2 200m) - World Cup 3 (Duisburg, GER) 1st (K2 200m) - National Championships (SIRC, NSW) 1st (K2 500m) - Oceania Open (SIRC, NSW) 2nd (K2 1000m) - Grand Prix 1 (West Lakes, SA) 2nd (K2 200m) - Grand Prix 1 (West Lakes, SA) 3rd (K4 1000m) - Oceania Open (SIRC, NSW) 3rd (K2 500m) - Oceania Open (SIRC, NSW) 3rd (K4 1000m) - Oceania Open (SIRC, NSW) 3rd (K4 1000m) - National Championships (SIRC,NSW) 3rd (K2 500m) - International University Canoe Champion- ships 3rd (K2 200m) - International University Canoe Champion-ships

2009 1st (K2 1000m) - Grand Prix 1 (West Lakes, SA) 1st (K2 500m) - Grand Prix 1 (West Lakes, SA) 2nd (K2 200m) - National Championships (Perth, WA) 3rd (K4 1000m) - National Championships (Perth, WA)

Get to know Stephen Bird Sportscene TV interviews Stephen Bird (right) after he earnt Olympic nomination after victory in the K2 200 at the Australian Championships. Watch the video on the Australian Canoeing YouTube Channel. Photo Credits - Top two photos taken by Sportscene, bottom photo taken by Balint Vekassy.

Bird and Phillips will compete at their first Olympic Games this year in London.

Bird & Phillips power to victory and claim the K2 200 National title.

The WAIS duo finished 14th in K2 200 at 2011 World Championships.