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Steven Redgrave was guaranteed a special place in the history of the Olympic Games when on the 23rd September 2000 at the age of 38 he won his 5th Gold Medal in five successive Games. These were, Los Angeles, Seoul, Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney. Steve Redgrave’s feat is unique in the annals of Olympic endurance achievements. IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch said this “Raises Steven Redgrave to the highest rank of Olympic participants”.
But even before the Sydney Games, Steven Redgrave had already confirmed his status as Britain’s most successful Olympian and the world’s greatest ever oarsman. In addition to his Olympic successes, and following four unbeaten seasons from 1993 to 1996, Steve and his rowing partner Matthew Pinsent won his 9th World Championship Gold in August 1999 in Canada.
11 Triumphant years:
His previous World Championship Golds were in 1986, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 and 1998. He had also won many other honours in the sport over the previous eleven years. These include the Henley Royal Regatta Diamond Sculls several times and the Silver Goblets seven times. In 1986 he became a Triple Commonwealth Gold Medallist at Edinburgh, winning the Single Scull, Coxless Pairs, and Coxed Four. Together with partner Matthew Pinsent, Steve remains holder of the World Record in Coxless Pairs, set in Lucerne in 1994. Then he won the Olympic record in Atlanta in 1996.
His other sporting interests include golf and winter sports. During the 1989-90 season, he was a member of the British Bobsleigh Team. Even more impressive than Steve Redgrave’s extraordinary athletic performances themselves, is the fact they were achieved against a background of serious illnesses. He nearly missed the Atlanta Games. This was due to colitis, for which he still receives treatment. Then in 1997 he was diagnosed as diabetic. This requires him to have six insulin injections per day to keep it under control.
Steve was awarded the MBE in the New Year’s Honours List in 1987. He later received a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List of 1997. The University of Durham also awarded him an Honorary Degree in December 1996.
Off the water, he has a busy career representing commercial companies in a PR and promotional capacity. He attends corporate receptions and trade fairs. His exceptional public image has made him an ideal celebrity for product endorsement. He is also a very popular after dinner, inspirational and motivational speaker.
