Steve Redgrave

British rower who won five consecutive Olympic gold medals from 1984-2000, making him one of Britain's greatest ever Olympians and most successful rowers.

Born in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, on 23 March 1962, Steven Geoffrey Redgrave began rowing at Marlow Rowing Club before progressing through the British junior system. His imposing 6'5" frame and natural athletic ability marked him as exceptional from an early age, leading to selection for the Great Britain senior squad while still a teenager. Redgrave's international career spanned two decades, during which he established himself as the most successful Olympic rower in history. His partnership with Andy Holmes yielded gold medals in the coxed four at Los Angeles 1984 and the coxless pair at Seoul 1988. Following Holmes's retirement, Redgrave formed an equally dominant partnership with Matthew Pinsent, winning consecutive Olympic golds in the coxless pair at Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996. Between Olympics, he accumulated nine World Championship gold medals and numerous other international titles. His crowning achievement came at Sydney 2000, where he won his fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal as part of the coxless four alongside Pinsent, Tim Foster, and James Cracknell. This historic victory made him the first rower and only the fourth Olympian ever to win gold medals at five consecutive Games. The achievement was made more remarkable by his battle with type 2 diabetes, diagnosed in 1997, and his age of 38 at the time of his final victory. His famous declaration after Atlanta 1996 that anyone seeing him in a boat again had permission to "shoot me" added to the drama of his eventual comeback. Redgrave's legacy extends far beyond his medal collection. His longevity and consistency redefined expectations in Olympic sport, while his willingness to continue competing despite diabetes raised awareness of the condition. Knighted in 2001, he remains Britain's most decorated Olympian and a towering figure in world rowing. His fifth Olympic gold is widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements in British sporting history, cementing his status as an icon of determination and excellence.

Powerful stroke, exceptional endurance, mental toughness and ability to perform under pressure

Considered Britain's greatest rower and one of the most successful Olympic athletes of all time

• Olympic Gold 5x (1984,1988,1992,1996,2000)
• World Champion 9x
• Knighted 2001