Declan Burns is a three-time Olympian who represented Ireland in canoe sprint at Montreal 1976, Moscow 1980 and Seoul 1988.
He made his debut in Montreal, racing the K2 500 metres with Brendan O'Connell and finishing fourth in their repechage heat. He also formed part of the Irish K4 over 1,000 metres alongside O'Connell, Ian Pringle and Howard Watkins, the crew placing sixth in their opening heat and fifth in the repechage.
At Moscow 1980 he raced the K1 500 metres, where he was fourth in his repechage heat.
He returned for a third Games in Seoul 1988, twelve years after his debut, racing the K2 1,000 metres with Peter Connor. The pair advanced to the semi-finals and finished fourth in that race, the best Olympic result of his career.
Declan went on to gain national attention by competing in World Superstars
Canoeing
