Sir Steven Geoffrey Redgrave (born 23 March 1962) is a British retired
rower who won gold medals at five consecutive
Olympic Games
The modern Olympic Games (Olympics; ) are the world's preeminent international Olympic sports, sporting events. They feature summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a Multi-s ...
from 1984 to 2000. He has also won three
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is a quadrennial international multi-sport event among athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations, which consists mostly, but not exclusively, of territories of the former British Empire. The event was first held in 1930 ...
gold medals and nine
World Rowing Championships
The World Rowing Championships is an international Rowing (sport), rowing regatta organized by International Rowing Federation, FISA (the International Rowing Federation). It is a week-long event held at the end of the northern hemisphere summer ...
golds. He is the most successful male rower in Olympic history, and the only man to have won gold medals at five Olympic Games in an endurance sport.
Redgrave is regarded as one of Britain's greatest-ever Olympians. Celebrated as the most decorated and successful British Olympian in history at the time of his retirement in 2000, as of 2025 he is the fifth-most successful British Olympian, after cyclists Sir
Chris Hoy, who was the first British Olympian to break his record in 2012, Sir
Jason Kenny, who took on the record himself in 2020, Sir
Bradley Wiggins
Sir Bradley Marc Wiggins (born 28 April 1980) is a British former professional Road bicycle racing, road and track cycling, track racing cyclist, who competed professionally between 2001 and 2016. He began his cycling career on the track, but ...
who briefly took his title as the most decorated British Olympian in 2012, and Dame
Laura Kenny, the only British woman to have won five Olympic gold medals; Redgrave is the only one of the five was not a track cyclist. He has
carried the British flag at the
opening of the Olympic Games on two occasions. In 2002, he was ranked number 36 in the
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...
poll of the
100 Greatest Britons.
He received the
BBC Sports Personality of the Year – Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
Although he raced in a series of different pairs and foursomes, Redgrave's career is most closely associated with long-term colleague and fellow knight of the realm,
Sir Matthew Pinsent, with whom he won three of his Olympic gold medals, and seven of his World Championship titles.
Early life and education
Redgrave was born in
Marlow, Buckinghamshire, to Geoffrey Edward Redgrave, a
submarine
A submarine (often shortened to sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. (It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability.) The term "submarine" is also sometimes used historically or infor ...
r in the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
who became a builder, and Sheila Marion, daughter of Harold Stevenson, a local bus driver. His great-grandparents Harry and Susannah Redgrave moved to Marlow from
Bramfield, Suffolk, in 1887.
[Ancestry.com Steve Redgrave](_blank)
/ref> He was educated at Great Marlow School.
Rowing career
Redgrave's primary discipline was sweep rowing, in which he won Olympic Gold rowing both bowside and strokeside (port and starboard
Port and starboard are Glossary of nautical terms (M-Z), nautical terms for watercraft and spacecraft, referring respectively to the left and right sides of the vessel, when aboard and facing the Bow (watercraft), bow (front).
Vessels with bil ...
).
From 1991, the crews in which he rowed became renowned for their consistent dominance, winning almost every time they raced. Profiles of the Redgrave-Pinsent pairing in particular reflected their perceived invulnerability, arguing "the best pair in the world today is Steve Redgrave, and whomever Steve Redgrave chooses to row with. The second best pair is Matthew Pinsent, and whomever Matthew Pinsent chooses to row with"; the pair were not only widely considered the best pair in the world at their peak, but the best two individual sweep rowers.
For much of his career he suffered illness: in 1992 he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the two types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with the other type being Crohn's disease. It is a long-term condition that results in inflammation and ulcers of the colon and rectum. The primary sympto ...
, and in 1997 he was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2.
Olympic Games
Redgrave won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games
The modern Olympic Games (Olympics; ) are the world's preeminent international Olympic sports, sporting events. They feature summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a Multi-s ...
from 1984 to 2000, plus a bronze medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XXIV Olympiad () and officially branded as Seoul 1988 (), were an international multi-sport event held from 17 September to 2 October 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. 159 nations were represe ...
.
Immediately after winning the 1996 Olympic Gold Medal, he stated in a televised interview that if anyone found him close to a rowing boat again, "you have my permission to shoot me". However, he changed his mind shortly afterward, and resumed training after a four-month break. The gold medal achieved by him and Matthew Pinsent in the coxless pair at the Atlanta 1996 games was particularly notable for being the only gold medal achieved by the entire British Olympic team across all sports during that particular Olympic games.
In 2000, he won his fifth consecutive Olympic Gold Medal and retired from the sport. In August 2000, prior to his final Olympic Games, the BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...
broadcast '' Gold Fever'', a three-part BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...
documentary which had followed the coxless four in the years leading up to the Olympics. It included video diaries recording the highs and lows in the quest for gold, the switch from a pair to a four, and Redgrave's struggles with a series of debilitating conditions. At the medal ceremony after the 2000 Summer Olympics
The 2000 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, officially branded as Sydney 2000, and also known as the Games of the New Millennium, were an international multi-sport event held from 15 September to 1 October ...
he was also presented with a gold Olympic pin by IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch in recognition of his achievement.
World Championships
At the World Rowing Championships
The World Rowing Championships is an international Rowing (sport), rowing regatta organized by International Rowing Federation, FISA (the International Rowing Federation). It is a week-long event held at the end of the northern hemisphere summer ...
he won nine gold medals, two silvers, and a bronze.
He won the World Championship for Indoor rowing in 1991.
Henley Royal Regatta
He competed at Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta (or Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage) is a Rowing (sport), rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839. It diffe ...
for more than two decades, winning: the Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup for coxless pairs seven times (twice with Andy Holmes, once with Simon Berrisford and four times with Matthew Pinsent); the Stewards' Challenge Cup
The Stewards' Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless fours at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames
The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the The Isis, River Isis, is a river that flows through ...
for coxless fours five times; the Diamond Challenge Sculls
The Diamond Challenge Sculls is a Rowing (sport), rowing event for men's single sculls at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. First run in 1844, it is open to male scullers from all eligible rowin ...
twice; the Double Sculls Challenge Cup with Eric Sims then with Adam Clift; and the Queen Mother Challenge Cup for quadruple sculls.
Wingfield Sculls
He won the Wingfield Sculls for single scullers five times between 1985 and 1989.
Life after rowing
In April 2006 Redgrave completed his third London Marathon
The London Marathon (also known as the TCS London Marathon for sponsorship reasons) is an annual marathon held in London, England. Founded by athletes Chris Brasher and John Disley in 1981, it is typically held in April, although it moved to Oct ...
, raising a record £1,800,000 for charity.
He starred in ''Top Ground Gear Force
''Top Ground Gear Force'' is a one-off TV special, featuring the presenters of BBC's '' Top Gear'', which originally aired on BBC Two at 22:00 GMT on 14 March 2008 as part of Sport Relief 2008. It was repeated on Easter Monday, 2008.
It bor ...
'' for Sport Relief in 2008, where the '' Top Gear'' Team (Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson (born 11 April 1960) is an English television presenter, journalist, farmer, and author who specialises in Driving, motoring. He is best known for hosting the television programmes ''Top Gear (2002 TV series), T ...
, James May
James Daniel May (born 16 January 1963) is an English television presenter and journalist. He is best known as a co-presenter, alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, of the motoring programme ''Top Gear (2002 TV series), Top Gear'' fr ...
and Richard Hammond
Richard Mark Hammond (born 19 December 1969) is an English journalist, television presenter, and author. He co-hosted the BBC Two motoring programme ''Top Gear (2002 TV series), Top Gear'' from 2002 until 2015 with Jeremy Clarkson and James Ma ...
) took on ''Ground Force'' with predictable results, and trashed his garden.
He launched his own Fairtrade Cotton Brand of clothing called FiveG, which was sold in Debenhams department stores.
He was involved in starting a rowing academy in India at Lavasa, the new Hill City being developed near Pune
Pune ( ; , ISO 15919, ISO: ), previously spelled in English as Poona (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Maharashtra, the official name until 1978), is a city in the state of Maharashtra in the Deccan Plateau, Deccan plateau in Western ...
City.
In April 2008, Redgrave took part in the Olympic Torch relay for the games in Beijing, and he went on to be one of the final torch-bearers for the 2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad and also known as London 2012, were an international multi-sport event held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London, England, United Kingdom. The first event, the ...
in London, carrying the torch into the stadium
A stadium (: stadiums or stadia) is a place or venue for (mostly) outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage completely or partially surrounded by a tiered structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit ...
, where seven young athletes shared the task of lighting the cauldron at the opening ceremony
An opening ceremony, grand opening, or ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the official opening of a newly constructed location or the start of an event. .
He was named a Patron of the Jaguar Academy of Sport in 2010.
In 2012, he took up kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving over water. It is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle. A kayak is a low-to-the-water, canoe-like boat in which the paddler sits fac ...
and attempted the Devizes-to-Westminster marathon kayak race, but had to withdraw halfway through due to tiredness.
He rowed on the '' Gloriana'' as part of the royal pageant for the Diamond Jubilee
A diamond jubilee celebrates the 60th anniversary of a significant event related to a person (e.g. accession to the throne or wedding, among others) or the 60th anniversary of an institution's founding. The term is also used for 75th annivers ...
of Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...
.
In August 2014, Redgrave was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter to ''The Guardian
''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...
'' expressing their hope that Scotland would vote to remain part of the United Kingdom in September's referendum on that issue.
In May 2018, Redgrave assumed the High-Level Performance Director role for the Chinese Rowing Association to help China's rowing team's target of one gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games and two golds at Paris 2024.
In 2025, Redgrave is set to appear as a contestant on the seventeenth series of '' Dancing on Ice''.
Personal life
He married Ann Callaway (now Lady Ann Redgrave) in 1988; also an elite rower, she represented Great Britain in the women's eight at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. She was Chief Medical Officer to the GB rowing team from 1992 to 2001 and since 2009 their first full-time Medical Officer. He was the honorary president of British Rowing.
Redgrave has three children, Natalie, Sophie and Zak. Natalie rowed with the Oxford University Women's Boat Club which won the women's boat race at Henley Boat Races in 2011.
He is a supporter of Chelsea Football Club
Chelsea Football Club is a professional football club based in Fulham, West London, England. The club was founded in 1905 and named after neighbouring area Chelsea. They compete in the Premier League, the top tier of English football, pl ...
.
Honours
Redgrave was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...
(MBE) in 1987, and promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...
(CBE) in 1997. In the 2001 New Year Honours he was appointed a Knight Bachelor
The title of Knight Bachelor is the basic rank granted to a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not inducted as a member of one of the organised Order of chivalry, orders of chivalry; it is a part of the Orders, decorations, and medals ...
"for services to Rowing", which he received in Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace () is a royal official residence, residence in London, and the administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and r ...
from Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...
on 1 May 2001.
He was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2000, , and received the BBC Sports – Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
He was awarded the Honorary Degree
An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all of the usual requirements. It is also known by the Latin phrases ''honoris causa'' ("for the sake of the honour") or '' ad hon ...
of Doctor of the University from Heriot Watt University in November 2001, having previously been awarded an Honorary Blue in 1997.
In 2001, he was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Technology by Loughborough University
Loughborough University (abbreviated as ''Lough'' or ''Lboro'' for Post-nominal letters, post-nominals) is a public university, public research university in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It has been a university sinc ...
.
In 2000, his fifth Olympic gold was voted the greatest sporting moment in Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by Channel Four Television Corporation. It is state-owned enterprise, publicly owned but, unlike the BBC, it receives no public funding and is funded en ...
's 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.
The Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake was opened by him and Matthew Pinsent in 2006. The lake and boathouse provide training, medical and scientific facilities for the GB rowing squad.
In 2013, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh (, ; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in Post-nominal letters, post-nominals) is a Public university, public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded by the City of Edinburgh Council, town council under th ...
"in recognition of his outstanding sporting achievements and role as a sports ambassador".[Quote taken from the programme notes of the ceremony in McEwan Hall, Edinburgh 8 October 2013]
Achievements
* Olympic medals: 5 gold, 1 bronze
* World Championship
A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game ...
medals: 9 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze
* Junior World Championship medals: 1 silver
Olympic Games
* 2000 – Gold, Coxless Four (with Matthew Pinsent, Tim Foster, James Cracknell)
* 1996 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with Matthew Pinsent)
* 1992 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with Matthew Pinsent)
* 1988 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with Andy Holmes)
* 1988 – Bronze, Coxed Pair (with Andy Holmes and Patrick Sweeney)
* 1984 – Gold, Coxed Four (with Martin Cross, Adrian Ellison, Andy Holmes and Richard Budgett).
World Rowing Championships
* 1999 – Gold, Coxless Four (with James Cracknell, Ed Coode, Matthew Pinsent)
* 1998 – Gold, Coxless Four (with James Cracknell, Tim Foster, Matthew Pinsent)
* 1997 – Gold, Coxless Four (with James Cracknell, Tim Foster, Matthew Pinsent)
* 1995 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with Matthew Pinsent)
* 1994 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with Matthew Pinsent)
* 1993 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with Matthew Pinsent)
* 1991 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with Matthew Pinsent)
* 1990 – Bronze, Coxless Pair (with Matthew Pinsent)
* 1989 – Silver, Coxless Pairs (with Simon Berrisford)
* 1989 – 5th, Coxed Pairs (with Simon Berrisford and Patrick Sweeney)
* 1987 – Gold, Coxless Pairs (with Andy Holmes)
* 1987 – Silver, Coxed Pairs (with Andy Holmes and Patrick Sweeney)
* 1986 – Gold, Coxed Pairs (with Andy Holmes and Patrick Sweeney)
* 1985 – 12th, Single Sculls
* 1983 – Single Sculls
* 1982 – 6th, Quadruple Scull
* 1981 – 8th, Quadruple Scull
Junior World Rowing Championships
* 1980 – Silver, Double Sculls
* 1979 – Single Sculls
Henley Royal Regatta
* 2001 – Queen Mother Challenge Cup
* 2000 – Stewards' Challenge Cup
The Stewards' Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless fours at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames
The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the The Isis, River Isis, is a river that flows through ...
* 1999 – Stewards' Challenge Cup
* 1998 – Stewards' Challenge Cup
* 1997 – Stewards' Challenge Cup
* 1995 – Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup
* 1994 – Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup
* 1993 – Stewards' Challenge Cup
* 1993 – Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup
* 1991 – Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup
* 1989 – Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup
* 1987 – Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup
* 1986 – Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup
* 1985 – Diamond Challenge Sculls
The Diamond Challenge Sculls is a Rowing (sport), rowing event for men's single sculls at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. First run in 1844, it is open to male scullers from all eligible rowin ...
* 1983 – Diamond Challenge Sculls
* 1982 – Double Sculls Challenge Cup
* 1981 – Double Sculls Challenge Cup
Other
* 1996 – Winner of ''Celebrity Gladiators''
* 2000 – BBC Sports Personality of the Year
* 2001 – Collected a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...
* 2001 – Received an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University () is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was established in 1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh, the world's first mechanics' institute, and was subsequently granted university status by roya ...
* 2010 – Awarded the degree of Hon. LLD from the University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews (, ; abbreviated as St And in post-nominals) is a public university in St Andrews, Scotland. It is the List of oldest universities in continuous operation, oldest of the four ancient universities of Scotland and, f ...
* 2011 – BBC Sports – Lifetime Achievement Award
* 2012 – Carried the London 2012 Olympic Torch into the Olympic Stadium
* 2013 – Awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh (, ; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in Post-nominal letters, post-nominals) is a Public university, public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded by the City of Edinburgh Council, town council under th ...
"in recognition of his outstanding sporting achievements and role as a sports ambassador".
Bibliography
* ''Steve Redgrave: A Golden age'' (2000) with Nick Townsend (ghostwriter
A ghostwriter is a person hired to write literary or journalistic works, speeches, or other texts that are credited to another person as the author. Celebrities, executives, participants in timely news stories, and political leaders often h ...
).
** 2nd edition: 2001
* ''Steve Redgrave's Complete Book of Rowing'' (1992).
** 2nd edition: 1995
* ''You Can Win At Life!'' (2005) with Nick Townsend. .
* ''Inspired ''(2009).
* Foreword to ''Diabetes: The at Your Fingertips Guide'' 5th edition (2003)
See also
* Jack Beresford, rower, Britain's most successful Olympian prior to Redgrave's fourth gold medal, with three gold and two silver medals from 1920 to 1936
* List of multiple Olympic gold medalists
This article lists the individuals who have won at least four gold medals at the Olympic Games or at least three gold medals in individual events.
List of most Olympic gold medals over career
This is a partial list of multiple Olympic gold medali ...
* List of multiple Olympic gold medalists in one event
* List of people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis
References
External links
*
*
*
*
*
*
Virtual Library rowing information
Video 1988 Pair (2-) Olympic race
Video Sir Steve Redgrave discusses the key to a winning team
Sir Steve Redgrave: myplace ambassador – creating places for young people to go to
video)
The Sonshine of Our Lives: Sheila Redgrave tells the broader story of her son Sir Steve Redgrave
Motion in Action Inspirational Story on Steve Redgrave
{{DEFAULTSORT:Redgrave, Steve
English male rowers
Commonwealth Games gold medallists for England
Commonwealth Games gold medallists in rowing
Olympic rowers for Great Britain
Rowers at the 1984 Summer Olympics
Rowers at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Rowers at the 1992 Summer Olympics
Rowers at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Rowers at the 2000 Summer Olympics
BBC Sports Personality of the Year winners
Deputy lieutenants of Buckinghamshire
Laureus World Sports Awards winners
Knights Bachelor
People educated at Great Marlow School
Sportspeople awarded knighthoods
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
1962 births
Living people
Stewards of Henley Royal Regatta
Members of Leander Club
Olympic gold medallists for Great Britain
People from Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Rowers at the 1986 Commonwealth Games
Olympic medalists in rowing
Medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympics
Medalists at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Medalists at the 1992 Summer Olympics
Medalists at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Medalists at the 1984 Summer Olympics
Olympic bronze medallists for Great Britain
World Rowing Championships medalists for Great Britain
Thomas Keller Medal recipients
BBC Sports Personality Lifetime Achievement Award recipients
Medallists at the 1986 Commonwealth Games
English autobiographers
20th-century British autobiographers
People with ulcerative colitis