KAYAKING CHAMPION TO COMPETE IN SUMMER GAMES

Born in Norwich, Vermont, Brett Heyl has been an athlete his entire life. His devotion to kayaking is matched only by his desire to learn. This was evident in the high marks he attained all through his schooling. He is now a kayaking Olympian who is studying economics at The George Washington University.

Although he had been accepted to GW, Brett deferred his education for a year so that he could train. At GW, he trained for three years, with varying levels of success. He became a three-time vice national champion, three-time National Team member, and he competed in two World Championships and dozens of World Cups. However, it was at the close of 2003 when his career really took off.

2004 has been a good year for the 22-year-old Brett, who has now taken a leave from GW to train full time. He won the Pan American championship in the men’s K-1, then finished second at his first U.S. Team Trials. In April, he placed eighth in the first World Cup event of the season, on the course in Athens, thus securing himself a spot on this year’s Olympic team to compete in the K-1.