Ray Parker only took up canoeing in 1950 to build up his strength after spending five years in a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II. The following year he finished second in the kayak singles 10,000 metres at the National Championships, and was third in the 1,000 metres event. Just a couple of months before the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Parker teamed up with Graham Palmer in kayak doubles and they were an instant success both at home and at an international event in Belgium. The pair then competed in the K-2 10,000 metres at the Olympics but could only finish 15th out of 18 starters. In 1954 Parker reached the semi-final of the K-1 1,000 metres at the World Championships at Mâcon, France. That year he also won the K-1 event at the News of the World Regatta on the Serpentine in Hyde Park, London. Parker took part in the 1958 K-2 10,000 metres with Ray Blick at the World Championship at Praha (Prague).
Great Britain