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Steve Redgrave in 2011. Photo by Ollie Harding –

Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about Sir Steve Redgrave

Sir Steve Redgrave is a retired British rower who won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000. Born in 1962, Steve Redgrave first competed in the Olympics in 1984. 

Knighted in 2001, Sir Steve is regarded as the most successful male rower in Olympic history and subsequently the only man to have won gold medals at five Olympic Games in an endurance sport.

Furthermore, Steve won three Commonwealth Games gold medals and nine World Rowing Championships golds.

Redgrave has carried the British flag at the opening of the Olympic Games on two occasions.

As one of Britain’s greatest-ever Olympians, Redgrave was the 4^th most decorated after cyclists Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Jason Kenny and Sir Bradley Wiggins in 2016.

There is more to learn about this talented retired rower, here are the top 10 unbelievable facts about Sir Steve Redgrave.

1. All Sir Redgrave touched turned to gold

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As one of the greatest rowers in the world, Steve Redgrave won a gold medal in the coxed fours in his first appearance at The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

He won another gold medal win just four years later in Seoul Olympics in coxless pairs.

During his 3^rd Olympics appearance at Barcelona in 1992, Steve added another gold medal to his record, again in the coxless pairs.

Then after the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, after winning his fourth gold in rowing, Steve Redgrave announced his retirement. His statement was 鈥淎nybody who sees me in a boat has my permission to shoot me.鈥�

2. Illnesses could not stop his numerous success in sports

Steve Redgrave battled several illnesses and conditions during his career. In 1992, he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis then in 1997 aged 35, he learnt that he had Type 1 Diabetes.

The illnesses did not dampen his sporty spirit. He remained disciplined, with his health in mind, and kept going.

Redgrave was the best in sweep rowing, in which he won Olympic Gold rowing for bow side and stroke side.

His team was renowned for their dominance in the sport since they won every game.

Steve mentioned the importance of diabetes management. It is for this reason that he was appointed to the Executive Committee of Sport for Good.

This is a charitable organisation that works to show that the power of sport can change the world and put an end to violence, and discrimination.

3. Sir Redgrave鈥檚 first legendary victory was in Los Angeles in 1984

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One of Steve鈥檚 most remarkable victories was in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This victory is regarded as an entry into the history books.

Redgrave won his first medal aged 22 at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. The victory made him a sports legend in Britain.

His win was record-breaking since no rowers from Britain had won the medal since 1948 during the London Olympics.

While working to create the best rowing team, several in-house competitions were held. The competitions were between clubs and universities where the best team was sent to the Olympics.

During the 1984 Olympics, Great Britain鈥檚 rowing team was made of athletes from different backgrounds. 

It was this team that gave Britain its victory after 36 years.

4. He took back his words after announcing his retirement

Steve Redgrave in 2011. Photo by Ollie Harding –

Redgrave won gold medals at four consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 1996. It was after his victory in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Redgrave announced his retirement.

During the 1996 Olympics, he won the gold medal with his partner Matthew Pinsent. They were the only pair to win a gold medal in the entire British team that went for the Olympics.

He stated that if anyone found him close to a rowing boat again, they could shoot him.

This did not last for long though. Steve changed his mind shortly and resumed training after a four-month break.

In 2000 at the Sydney Olympics, Steve won his 5^th consecutive Olympic Gold Medal and retired from the sport.

Collectively, Redgrave has also won 9 gold medals at the World Championships, competing in the Coxed Pair, Coxless Pair and Coxless Four events.

5. Sir Redgrave raised 拢1,800,000 for charity

In 2006, Redgrave completed his third London Marathon where he raised a record 拢1,800,000 for charity.

Subsequently, Steve was featured in Top Ground Gear Force for Sport Relief in 2008. The Top Gear Team (Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond) took on Ground Force with predictable results and trashed his garden.

That same year Redgrave took part in the Olympic Torch relay for the games in Beijing.

Later on, Steve launched his own Fairtrade Cotton Brand of clothing called FiveG, which is sold in Debenhams department stores.

He was named a Patron of the Jaguar Academy of Sport in 2010.

6. Sir Steve Redgrave married a rower

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Steve and Ann Callaway got married in 1988. Ann is an accomplished rower herself and has represented Great Britain in the women’s eight at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.

Additionally, she was Chief Medical Officer to the GB rowing team from 1992 to 2001. She is currently a full-time medical officer and is now known as Lady Redgrave.

Steven and Ann Redgrave have three children, Natalie, Sophie and Zak. Their daughter Natalie, rowed with the Oxford University Women’s Boat Club which won the women’s boat race at Henley Boat Races in 2011.

Steve is the president of British Rowing and a supporter of Chelsea Football Club.

7. He got knighted in 2001

In 1987, Steve was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). A decade later, he was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

During the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2001, Redgrave was knighted by the queen.  He was appointed Knight Bachelor “for services to Rowing”, which he received in Buckingham Palace from Queen Elizabeth II on 1 May 2001.

8. Redgrave was partnered with a rower 8 years his junior in the Olympics

Steve Redgrave in 2011. Photo by Ollie Harding –

In 1990, Redgrave had a new teammate who happened to be eight years his junior. His name is Matthew Pinsent.

They were partnered in the coxless pairs and in their first competition together, they won a bronze medal. This was during the World Championships.

Their first gold medal was in 1991 in the World Championships in Austria. This was followed by another great success at the Barcelona 1992 Games.

In 1993, they were the World champions in Ra膷ice (Now the Czech Republic). They had had a 5-second lead over the German boat.

Their other wins were in 1994 in Indianapolis (USA) and 1995 in Tampere (Finland). The duo was unbeaten until 1995.

9. Redgrave carried the British flag at the opening of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London

Being one of the most successful rowers and record holders in Britain, Steve was given the honours of carrying the British flag at the opening of the Olympic Games on two occasions.

The first was during the 2008 Olympic torch relay in Beijing and was one of the final torchbearers for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

In 2002, Steve was ranked number 36 in the BBC poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. He received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 鈥� Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.