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Gareth KEAN
Sport Swimming
NOC New Zealand   
GenderMen
Born05 Oct 1991 in Wellington, NZL
Height1.94 m
Weight 76 kg
 Human Interest 
Further Personal Information
Higher education
Commerce - Victoria University of Wellington: New Zealand
Sport Specific Information
Why this sport?
At age two he fell into the school swimming pool and had to be rescued by the instructor as his mother could not help because she was seven months pregnant with twins. His parents then decided he needed to learn to swim.
General Interest
Awards and honours
He was a member of the team named Relay Team of the Year at the 2013 Swimming New Zealand Awards. (northshoreswimclub.org.nz, 23 Mar 2013)

He was named Sportsman of the Year at the 2011 Wellington Sports Awards in New Zealand. (wellingtonsportsawards.co.nz, 08 Oct 2014)

He was named Emerging Sportsman of the Year at the 2009 Wellington Sports Awards in New Zealand. (eyetalent.co.nz, 19 Jul 2010)
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?
He took up swimming at age four.
Further Personal Information
Languages
English
General Interest
Nicknames
The Kean Machine (YouTube, 27 Jul 2012)
Other information
BREAK FROM THE SPORT
In April 2014 he announced he was taking time away from competitive swimming, saying he needed a break after a decade of training and racing. "I just don't have the passion it takes to be the best I can be right now." (stuff.co.nz, 02 Apr 2014)
Further Personal Information
Occupation
Coach

 Competition Highlights
Olympic Games
Rank Year Venue Event Result
29 2012 London, ENG 200m Backstroke 2:00.54
13 2012 London, ENG 100m Backstroke 54.00
Heats 2012 London, ENG 4 x 100m Medley Relay  
World Championships
Rank Year Venue Event Result
Heats 2013 Barcelona, ESP 200m Backstroke 2:02.81
Heats 2013 Barcelona, ESP 50m Backstroke 25.62
8 2013 Barcelona, ESP 100m Backstroke 54.25
Heats 2013 Barcelona, ESP 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:37.70
Heat 2011 Shanghai, CHN 200m Backstroke 2:00.74
8 2011 Shanghai, CHN 100m Backstroke 53.50