Steve Redgrave facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Sir Steve Redgrave
CBE DL

Redgrave in 2011
Personal information
Full name	Steven Geoffrey Redgrave
Born	(1962-03-23) 23 March 1962 (age 63) Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England
Education	Great Marlow School
Occupation	Rower
Height	6 feet 4.75 inches (1.95 m)
Weight	16 stone 2 pounds (103 kg) (2000)
Spouse(s)	Ann Redgrave
Sport
Country	Great Britain
Sport	Men's Rowing
Club	Marlow Rowing Club Leander Club
Team	GB Rowing Team
Coached by	Mike Spracklen Jürgen Gröbler
Retired	2000
Medal record Men's rowing Representing  Great Britain Olympic Games Gold 1984 Los Angeles Coxed four Gold 1988 Seoul Coxless pair Gold 1992 Barcelona Coxless pair Gold 1996 Atlanta Coxless pair Gold 2000 Sydney Coxless four Bronze 1988 Seoul Coxed pair World Championships Gold 1986 Nottingham Coxed pair Gold 1987 Copenhagen Coxless pair Gold 1991 Vienna Coxless pair Gold 1993 Račice Coxless pair Gold 1994 Indianapolis Coxless pair Gold 1995 Tampere Coxless pair Gold 1997 Aiguebelette Coxless four Gold 1998 Cologne Coxless Four Gold 1999 St. Catharines Coxless four Silver 1987 Copenhagen Coxed pair Silver 1989 Bled Coxless pair Bronze 1990 Tasmania Coxless pair Representing  England Commonwealth Games Gold 1986 Edinburgh Single sculls Gold 1986 Edinburgh Coxless pair Gold 1986 Edinburgh Coxed four
Updated on 6 November 2016.

Sir Steven Geoffrey Redgrave (born 23 March 1962) is a famous British rower. He won gold medals at five Olympic Games in a row, from 1984 to 2000. This makes him the most successful male rower in Olympic history. He is also the only man to win gold medals at five Olympics in a sport that requires a lot of stamina.

Redgrave is seen as one of Britain's greatest Olympic athletes ever. He has carried the British flag at the opening of the Olympic Games twice. In 2011, he received a special award for his lifetime achievements in sports.

Early Life & School

Statue of Redgrave in Higginson Park, Marlow

Steve Redgrave was born in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England. His father was a builder who served in the navy during the Second World War. Steve went to Great Marlow School when he was younger.

Steve Redgrave's Rowing Career

Redgrave was best known for his "sweep rowing" style. In this style, each rower uses one oar. He was very good at it, winning many races. From 1991 onwards, the teams he was part of almost always won their races.

He faced some health challenges during his career. In 1992, he was diagnosed with a bowel condition called ulcerative colitis. Later, in 1997, he found out he had diabetes mellitus type 2. Despite these challenges, he kept rowing and winning.

Olympic Games Success

Redgrave won gold medals at five straight Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000. He also won a bronze medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics.

After winning gold in 1996, he famously said he would never get in a rowing boat again. But he changed his mind quickly! He took a short break and then started training again. The gold medal he won with Matthew Pinsent in 1996 was very special. It was the only gold medal won by the entire British team at those Olympic Games.

In 2000, he won his fifth Olympic gold medal and then retired from rowing. Before his last Olympics, a TV show called Gold Fever followed his team. It showed all the hard work they put in to win gold. At the medal ceremony, he also received a special Olympic pin for his amazing achievement.

World Championships Wins

At the World Rowing Championships, Steve Redgrave won nine gold medals. He also earned two silver medals and one bronze medal. In 1991, he won the World Championship for Indoor rowing.

Henley Royal Regatta Triumphs

He competed at the famous Henley Royal Regatta for over 20 years. He won many different races there. He won the Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup seven times. He also won the Stewards' Challenge Cup five times.

Life After Rowing

After retiring from rowing, Steve Redgrave stayed active. In 2006, he ran the London Marathon to raise money for charity.

He also took part in the Olympic Torch relay twice. He carried the torch for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Then, in 2012, he was one of the final torch-bearers for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He carried the torch into the stadium before young athletes lit the main cauldron.

In 2018, Redgrave started working with the Chinese Rowing Association. He helps their team aim for gold medals at future Olympic Games.

Personal Life

Redgrave in 2011

Steve Redgrave married Ann Callaway in 1988. She was also a top rower and competed for Great Britain in the 1984 Olympics. She later became the Chief Medical Officer for the British rowing team. Steve is the honorary president of British Rowing.

Steve and Ann have three children: Natalie, Sophie, and Zak. Natalie also rowed and won a race with the Oxford University Women's Boat Club. Steve is a big fan of Chelsea Football Club.

Awards & Recognition

Steve Redgrave has received many awards for his achievements. He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1987. He was then promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1997. In 2001, he was made a Knight Bachelor by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to rowing. This means he is now called "Sir Steve Redgrave."

He was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2000. In 2011, he received the BBC Sports – Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2006, the Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake was opened. This lake and boathouse provide excellent training and medical facilities for the British rowing team.

Key Achievements

• Olympic Medals: 5 gold, 1 bronze
• World Championship Medals: 9 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze
• Junior World Championship Medals: 1 silver

Olympic Games Medals

• 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 Medals

Junior World Rowing Championships Medals

• 1980 – Silver, Double Sculls

Henley Royal Regatta Wins

Images for kids

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  A robot for kids

See also

• Jack Beresford, another famous British rower
• List of multiple Olympic gold medalists