Rowing Hotshot: Steven Redgrave

Redgrave with Gold Olympic Medals

Commonly referred to as the greatest rower of all time, Steven Redgrave of England has one more medals in his lifetime than anyone can count. Now 48 years old, his career started in 1979 with the Junior World Rowing Championships winning the silver medal in the double sculling event. Within 1981 and 1998 Redgrave won the Henley Royal Regatta 13 times. He participated in 5 olympic games winning gold in each one. He is the only known rower to have won 5 consecutive olympic titles in the sport. Redgrave rowed in a coxed quad, a coxed double, a coxless double, and his last title was held for a coxless quad. 

Quad celebrating after Gold Medal

Redgrave retired from the sport in 2000 after his last Olympic games. Since then he has donated to numerous charities, become a motivational speaker, and helped Britain win the bid for the 2012 Olympic Games. 
The most substantial inspiration that Redgrave gives to young rowers is that he was not in perfect condition health wise, but still made far more than a name for himself. Redgrave was diagnosed with diabetes in 1997 prior to his fifth Olympic games. After consulting his Doctor he decided to follow through with the competition and refused to let Diabetes control his body. "I decided very early on that diabetes was going to live with me, not me live with diabetes" said Redgrave. 
This man has helped encourage many fans with diabetes and other health conditions look past their complications and continue to pursue their dreams. Although now out of the rowing world, Steven Redgrave is still doing wonders for rowers everywhere. 



For more information on Steven, visit http://www.steveredgrave.com