If I row again, you can shoot me, he said: Who is Steve Redgrave?
When it comes to the most successful rower in Olympic history, only one name comes to mind: Steve Redgrave... Let's take a closer look at the story of the legendary rower, who was a 9-time World champion and 5-time Olympic champion.
Steve Redgrave was born in 1962 in Marlow, England. He became interested in rowing from an early age.
He was advancing step by step to the top of his career. They managed to win gold medals in both Olympics in 1984 and 1988. In 1992, they won all the competitions they participated in as a team.
However, the year 1992, which was full of success, would be quite difficult for Steve Redgrave. The British athlete was diagnosed with colitis. This would make conditions even more difficult for Redgrave, who plays a very difficult sport. However, the legendary athlete did not give up. He managed to win the gold medal once again at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Sir Steven Geoffrey Redgrave (born 23 March 1962) is a British retired rower who won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000. He has also won three Commonwealth Games gold medals and nine World Rowing Championships 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.
All four singles races against Italy at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics ended with victory, and Redgrave announced that he said goodbye to his 34-year sports career with a gold medal with the following words.
"If you see me in a shovel one more time, I give you permission to shoot me."
Fortunately, no one would take his words seriously. The successful athlete, who was also diagnosed with diabetes in 1997, was on stage again at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. History was repeating itself once again and Redgrave was making history as the Olympic champion 5 times in a row in Sydney. These achievements would also bring him the title of 'Sir'.
The last time the famous athlete took to the stage for the Olympics was in 2012. This time, he honored his country and lit the Olympic flame with David Beckham.
The famous athlete, who put an end to his career, also wrote a book about his life. During his retirement days, he also founded a rowing academy in India. Steve Redgrave, who mentors young athletes, gives them one piece of advice:
"Everyone can be defeated... Think big, don't be afraid, and get the success you deserve."