VICTORIA - Two-time Olympian swimmer and former Warrior Keith Beavers was applauded by his peers tonight after his retirement ceremony in Victoria during the final night of Swimming Canada's National Championships.

It was an emotional night at the Sannich Commonwealth pool as over two hundred swimmers were selected to represent Canada at either the Pan Pacific Championships, the Nations Cup, North American Challenge Cup or the Junior Pan Pacific Championships taking place this summer.

The evening started out with inspiring words by newly retired swimmer Keith Beavers of Orangeville, now living in Vancouver.

"It been a long road (close to 21 years) of swimming, and I wouldn't change anything," said Beavers to a pact house. "I had a lot of help along the way, with my sister being such a great rival of mine, and of course all my great coaches, Rob Wallenius, Sylvain Pineault, Bud McAllister and Dean Boles, who have contributed to all the great things that I have done over the years."

Long time coach, Dean Boles of Waterloo said that coaching Keith during his last years as a swimmer was probably the best fun he has had as a coach. "Keith was such a great example for all the other swimmers. He was always first at practice and took ownership of everything he did to improve himself."

Beavers loved to help out on deck inspiring the next generation of athletes. Sometimes he would even pitch in with coaching duties at the Region of Waterloo (ROW) swim club. During his career, Beavers also swam for the Orangeville Otters and the Toronto All-stars.

Looking back at a successful career Beavers emerged as one of Canada's brightest young stars in 2002 when he won the bronze medal and broke the Canadian record in the men's 200 metre backstroke at the Pan Pacific Championships in Yokohama, Japan.

Beavers competed at his second Olympic Games in Beijing and posted his fastest times ever. During the 200 IM finals, Beavers put his name next to the national mark that was previously held by long time rival, Brian Johns and swimming heroes Curtis Myden, Alex Baumann and Graham Smith.

In 2007, at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janerio, Keith won a bronze medal in the 400m individual medley and posted a personal best time in the 200m IM with a time of 2:01.36.

At the 2006 Pan Pacific Trials in Montreal, Keith broke his Canadian record once again in the 200 backstroke, clocking 1:58.97 and earning himself a spot on the 2006 Pan Pacific Championship team where he would once again have the opportunity to swim an international meet in front of a home crowd.

In 2004 Beavers had already pre-qualified for the 2004 Olympics in the 200 backstroke with his performance at the World Championships in Barcelona. He made the cut at Olympic Trials by placing first in the 400 IM with at time of 4:17.65. At this year's Pan Pacific Trials, Keith won the gold medal in the 200 backstroke with a remarkable time of 1:58.97 setting a new Canadian Record.

Throughout his career, Beavers has represented Canada at two Olympic Games, two World Championships, one Commonwealth Games, one Universiade, one Pan American Games and two Pan Pacific Championships, an accomplishment on its own.

Another career highlight for Beavers was at the U.S. Open when he upset double Olympic backstroke champion Lenny Krayzelburg of the U.S. for the gold in the 200 backstroke.

Keith, who represents the Region of Waterloo Swim club under Coach Dean Boles, was encouraged by his parents Don and Arlene to start swimming lessons at the age of 6. His sister Lindsay, was also a national team swimmer. Their continued support has enabled Keith to strive for his personal and swimming goals. He graduated in Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo.