OLYMPIC champion Ed McKeever claimed the silver medal in the men's K1 200m at the European Sprint Championships in Germany today.

Bradford on Avon's McKeever, who lifted the Olympic title at the London Games two years ago, clocked 36.029 to finish just behind Serbia's Marko Dragosavljevic (35.841).

The Olympic champion had missed this season's World Cup but, competing in his first international meet of the year, he was good enough to come within 0.188 seconds of taking gold.

The 30-year-old beat everyone but Serbia's Marco Dragosaljevic and was delighted with his return to competitive racing.

"I had a little while off with illness but I made sure I watched the World Cup races on the TV back home as a little motivator to get me back in the swing of things," said McKeever.

"I've had some good training since then and my confidence levels were very high going into it, so I'm happy with the outcome."

McKeever will now be targeting a strong showing at the Canoe Sprint World Championships in Moscow next month

Russia's Yury Postrygay was third in 36.050.

Meanwhile, fellow Bradford on Avon paddler Hannah Brown was third in the women's K1 200m this morning, finishing in a time of 45.019.

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