He simply wanted to spend time with his wife and new daughter.

The 40-year-old, who skipped the Canadian wheelchair curling team to gold at the Turin 2006 Paralympics, was nowhere to be seen as Canada retained their crown in Vancouver last year - leading to widespread conspiracy theories that he had argued with the coaches and had a falling out with the programme.

But Daw, the only athlete to represent Canada at multiple Summer and Winter Paralympic Games in four different sports, has now publicly explained his boycott.

Speaking to Global TV News, Daw said: "I didn't give any explanation why [at the time] because it was my personal need to be with my family at that time.

"My wife was pregnant with our first daughter and my wife asked if I could sit out of the 2010 Paralympics.

"I said 'Absolutely, anything for you and for the birth of our daughter'.

"That's the absolute God's honest truth.

"That's why I wasn't in the last Paralympics."

On February 23, 2010, Daw's wife Morgan gave birth to their daughter Arowyn Emma Ellie just 21 days before the Games got under way.

Daw continued: "It's no conspiracy theory or anything like that.

"It's just my wife asked me to sit one out and I sat one out for her and my daughter."

Daw added he still intends to compete in the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games in wheelchair curling and continue his remarkable sporting career.

Over the last 30 years, Daw has participated in over 125 National Championships, 64 World Championships and five Paralympics.

He has claimed more than 600 medals for Canada in numerous sports including a dozen World Championships titles and a Paralympic gold medal.

Daw has also received numerous awards in recognition of his sporting feats including the International Achievement Award from the Government of Canada in 2000 and 2006 and was inducted into the London Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

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