It has been nearly 10 months since slalom kayaker Michael Tayler snagged the coveted lone spot to represent Canada at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Since then, the 21-year-old Carleton student has learned a lot about what it takes to be a high-calibre competitor on the world stage. He has used his journey in London, England as an opportunity to develop as an athlete.
Despite falling short of his goal to reach the top 10, the experience in itself has been nothing less than life-changing for Tayler.
Seeing veteran athletes in their successes has inspired the young Olympian to achieve his dream of bringing home a medal from the 2016 Summer Olympics.
“It’s definitely really motivating,” Tayler said, of moments such as when kayaking gold medalist Daniele Molmenti offered him words of advice and support.
“I think a lot of people, even myself to a certain extent, saw it as a bonus that I maybe wasn’t really ready to win a medal this year, but I was still able to make it,” Tayler said. “It’s just going to help me for the next one.”
With a full university course load on his plate, plus training and a social life, his success relies on careful time management and balance.
While it can be tough to fit everything in, Tayler is set on finishing his degree before the next Olympics so he can dedicate his time to training.
“I’ve seen a lot of athletes that end up doing the six, seven-year plan, and I don’t want to do that,” Tayler said.
That perseverance is something he hopes will inspire other youth.
Since returning home from London, Tayler has been a guest speaker at two schools where he has shared his Olympic story.
“I realized it’s a pretty unique situation,” Tayler said. “Schools get a lot of speakers, but most of them aren’t 21 years old.”
While the typical motivational speaker has an almost unbelievably amazing story, he said, his is a little more real to students.
“I tell them I made the Olympics, I went there, and I didn’t do as well as I wanted,” he said. “But they’re like, ‘Wow, he’s still going.’”
Tayler’s sister Kathleen said his journey inspires students to realize that success is not dependent on age.
“I think it’s a really good way to share that story and the inspiration that came from it for all of us, and keep it going,” she said.
As for the future, Tayler is taking things one step at a time. He is focusing on the competitions he has lined up for this year, including the Under 23 World Championships.
Tayler’s coach, Michal Staniszewski, said his best advice for the young athlete is to continue what he is already doing: being impassioned and dedicated to training.
“It’s kind of strange, because in one sense the next Olympics seems so far away. It’s sometimes difficult to think that I need to be training hard right now,” Tayler said.
Having kayaked since the age of eight, rediscovering that routine is second nature to Tayler.
“It’s just been such a huge part of my life at this point,” he said. “I don’t know what I’d do without it.”
