Steve's route to Olympic history

STEVE Redgrave had his first taste of Olympic glory back in 1984 and 16 years later he is Britain's most successful Olympian with five consecutive gold medals under his belt.

His long road to Sydney 2000 began back at Great Marlow School in 1976, when teacher Francis Smith encouraged him to pick up an oar and try rowing.

Steve describes his early days on the River Thames in his new autobiography: 'I remember my first time on the water very clearly. I really enjoyed it . . . Whether I was good bad or indifferent on that first occasion I will never know.'

Steve must have been good because within two weeks he was in the school crew and a month later won the Avon County School Regatta in May, 1977. He writes: 'It was a brilliant day. It didn't enter my mind that we had a chance of success.'

Just seven years later, Steve was an Olympic rower claiming his first gold at Los Angeles in 1984.

He said: 'We stood forward one by one and received our medals then turned to one side as the national anthem was played and the national flag raised. It was a very emotional, very special moment, something I will never forget. I was fighting the tears without success.'

Four years later in Seoul, the Marlow Bottom athlete made it an Olympic double teaming up with Andy Holmes, from the coxed fours crew of 1984, to claim the coxless pairs title. Steve also took a bronze in Seoul in the coxed pairs.

Barcelona 1992 saw Steve retain his coxless pairs title with Matthew Pinsent, marking the start of a successful partnership.

Steve did it again in Atlanta 1996 with Matthew Pinsent at his side in the coxless pairs. Steve equalled the record for golds at consecutive Games.

He has now etched his place in the record books as one of the great British athletes of all time, coming out of retirement to take gold at Sydney 2000.

The International Olympic Committee was impressed with his achievements to date and presented him a gold Olympic pin at this year's games.

His extraordinary rowing career has been laden with medals, and not just at the Olympics.

He is the holder of three FISA World Cup titles with the coxless four crew and has nine World Championship golds.

Steve's route to Olympic history

STEVE Redgrave had his first taste of Olympic glory back in 1984 and 16 years later he is Britain's most successful Olympian with five consecutive gold medals under his belt.

His long road to Sydney 2000 began back at Great Marlow School in 1976, when teacher Francis Smith encouraged him to pick up an oar and try rowing.

Steve describes his early days on the River Thames in his new autobiography: 'I remember my first time on the water very clearly. I really enjoyed it . . . Whether I was good bad or indifferent on that first occasion I will never know.'

Steve must have been good because within two weeks he was in the school crew and a month later won the Avon County School Regatta in May, 1977. He writes: 'It was a brilliant day. It didn't enter my mind that we had a chance of success.'

Just seven years later, Steve was an Olympic rower claiming his first gold at Los Angeles in 1984.

He said: 'We stood forward one by one and received our medals then turned to one side as the national anthem was played and the national flag raised. It was a very emotional, very special moment, something I will never forget. I was fighting the tears without success.'

Four years later in Seoul, the Marlow Bottom athlete made it an Olympic double teaming up with Andy Holmes, from the coxed fours crew of 1984, to claim the coxless pairs title. Steve also took a bronze in Seoul in the coxed pairs.

Barcelona 1992 saw Steve retain his coxless pairs title with Matthew Pinsent, marking the start of a successful partnership.

Steve did it again in Atlanta 1996 with Matthew Pinsent at his side in the coxless pairs. Steve equalled the record for golds at consecutive Games.

He has now etched his place in the record books as one of the great British athletes of all time, coming out of retirement to take gold at Sydney 2000.

The International Olympic Committee was impressed with his achievements to date and presented him a gold Olympic pin at this year's games.

His extraordinary rowing career has been laden with medals, and not just at the Olympics.

He is the holder of three FISA World Cup titles with the coxless four crew and has nine World Championship golds.