Derek Porter was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and his father Hugh rowed for England at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, winning a bronze medal in the eight-oared race.
10 Facts About Derek Porter
1.
2.
Derek Porter won his gold medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics, stroking the Canadian Men's Eight.
3.
In 1993, he won the Single Scull event at the World Rowing Championships, and was one of the favorites at the 1996 Summer Olympics; Derek Porter led most of the race, only to be passed by Xeno Muller in the last 500 meters.
4.
Derek Porter held on to win the silver medal ahead of two-time defending Olympic champion Thomas Lange, who finished third.
5.
In 1999, Derek 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.
6.
Derek Porter finished fourth in the closest Olympic race ever, little over 2 seconds separated first from fourth.
7.
Derek Porter then started rowing again, winning the 2006 Canadian national team trials event in the single scull.
Related searches
Thomas Lange 8.
Derek 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.
9.
In 2012, Derek Porter was inducted into the Canadian sports hall of fame.
10.
Currently, Derek Porter is a chiropractor living in Vancouver, British Columbia with his wife, Helen Rhee-Derek Porter.