Hearn, 42, plans to dedicate his energies to teaching, coaching
and promoting the sport.
"I think it's time," Hearn said. "I've been doing this a long
time. . . . I want to switch gears and expand from helping my own career
to helping other people achieve the goals they set for themselves. I
want to help other paddlers achieve this level of excellence."
Hearn will lead a coaching program at the Bethesda Center of
Excellence (BCE), a canoe and kayak organization he helped create in
1992. There, Hearn will work with variously skilled paddlers between the
ages of 12 and 30. Hearn also will continue assisting U.S. Canoe and
Kayak national slalom coach Silvan Poberaj.
Hearn has won 14 world championship medals -- eight gold, five
silver and one bronze. He holds 28 national titles, the first of which
he earned at age 17.
Hearn participated in every Summer Olympics since the whitewater
slalom was included in 1992.
Although Hearn said he will miss competing, he won't be leaving
the water completely.
"I'll miss the day-to-day training," Hearn said. "I'll be on the
bank [of the river] a lot more, obviously . . . . But I intend to get
out there and paddle with them. It's a great way for a coach to show
that he knows something about what he's talking about."
