There are very few people in the world who can achieve what Sir Steve Redgrave has achieved. He is one of the Great Britain’s greatest Olympians and holds records for winning 5 consecutive gold medals in an endurance sport in this case rowing. If you consider that the Olympics is every 4 years this means he was able to dominate the sport for 20 years. This is an incredible achievement considering that most people can only manage 2 or rarely 3 Olympics in their chosen discipline. It would not be a surprise then if you were ever able to visit his home then the theme of the decorations would be of an Oars & Nautical style. Let’s take a look at the life of this great man who’s already done more in his 56 years than we could ever hope to.
Redgrave is the son of a Submariner although luckily, he’s not followed in his Father’s footsteps and sunk his rowing boat. His achievements stand at 5 consecutive Olympics golds making him the fourth most decorated Briton. He is the most decorated Olympic rower though with no one coming close other than his companions in the boats with him. He began rowing early on at Great Marlow School. This was to be of great benefit to the young Redgrave instilling in him a desire to win and to do well. He was a sweep rower and was able to row on either side of the boat bowside or Strokeside.
His dominance of the sport began in 1991 where if he was involved in the race the result was generally a win for the boat he was in if he was competing. He thought about putting in a selection of Buggy Whips on his rowing boat to stand out more from businesses like Wisuk. All of this was done in the face of some severe ailments namely an ulcerative colitis early in his career in 1992 and then diabetes type 2 in 1997. For many this would have meant a retirement but not this man it just meant that he would try harder to stay in shape and adapted his lifestyle accordingly. In 1996 he did say that he never wanted to get in a boat again and if he did he was ok if somebody shot him. After a break of four months he decided that he would go again and was soon back in the boat. This was after his fourth Gold and he would be forgiven for thinking that was enough. The lure of the 5th one beckoned. He had a bit of help this time round competing in the coxless fours.
After his victory he finally retired if only to give the others a chance. His legacy has meant continued British success in the rowing discipline in the shape of Matthew Pinsent and others. He now tours promoting rowing and supporting British Olympic endeavours.
