Bruce Merritt
Encyclopedia
Bruce Merritt is an American
sprint canoeist
who competed as a member of the US National Team from 1978 to 1988. Competing in two Summer Olympics, 1984 and 1988, he earned his best Olympic finish of seventh in the C-1 1000 m
event at Los Angeles
in 1984
. The 1984 games were boycotted by Russia, East Germany, Hungary, Bulgaria and Poland. He also represented the United States at 6 Senior World Championships for sprint canoeing, 1981, '82, '83, '85, '86, and '87. Competing in the 1987 Senior World Championships with all countries present, he earned his best career finish of 7th place in the C-1 1000 meter final. In an arena dominated by Eastern Bloc and European countries, this finish represented one of the best results for US sprint canoe singles at the Olympic/World Championship level in a recent 15 to 20 year period. At the 10th Pan American Games held in Indianapolis Indiana in 1987, he earned a Gold medal in the C-1 1000 meter final, and with partner Rod McLain won a Bronze medal in the C-2 500 meter final. In the earliest part of his adult racing career before he was able to access equipment belonging to the National Governing Body, Bruce handcrafted some of his own racing canoes and paddles to earn a berth on the National Team. His first exposure to sprint canoe racing was as a pre-adolescent growing up in the 1960s along the Potomac River near Mount Vernon, Virginia, and an early association with the historic Washington Canoe Club located on the river in the Georgetown section of the District of Columbia. Immediately following retirement from competition in 1988, Bruce was offered the position of the National Sprint Canoe Coach which he held through the 1991 racing season.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sprint canoeist
Canoe racing
This article discusses canoe sprint and canoe marathon, competitive forms of canoeing and kayaking on more or less flat water. Both sports are governed by the International Canoe Federation ....
who competed as a member of the US National Team from 1978 to 1988. Competing in two Summer Olympics, 1984 and 1988, he earned his best Olympic finish of seventh in the C-1 1000 m
Canoeing at the 1984 Summer Olympics - Men's C-1 1000 metres
The men's C-1 1000 metres event was an open-style, individual canoeing event conducted as part of the Canoeing at the 1984 Summer Olympics program.-Medallists:-Heats:Eleven competitors were entered with one disqualification...
event at Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1984
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
. The 1984 games were boycotted by Russia, East Germany, Hungary, Bulgaria and Poland. He also represented the United States at 6 Senior World Championships for sprint canoeing, 1981, '82, '83, '85, '86, and '87. Competing in the 1987 Senior World Championships with all countries present, he earned his best career finish of 7th place in the C-1 1000 meter final. In an arena dominated by Eastern Bloc and European countries, this finish represented one of the best results for US sprint canoe singles at the Olympic/World Championship level in a recent 15 to 20 year period. At the 10th Pan American Games held in Indianapolis Indiana in 1987, he earned a Gold medal in the C-1 1000 meter final, and with partner Rod McLain won a Bronze medal in the C-2 500 meter final. In the earliest part of his adult racing career before he was able to access equipment belonging to the National Governing Body, Bruce handcrafted some of his own racing canoes and paddles to earn a berth on the National Team. His first exposure to sprint canoe racing was as a pre-adolescent growing up in the 1960s along the Potomac River near Mount Vernon, Virginia, and an early association with the historic Washington Canoe Club located on the river in the Georgetown section of the District of Columbia. Immediately following retirement from competition in 1988, Bruce was offered the position of the National Sprint Canoe Coach which he held through the 1991 racing season.