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SIR STEVE REDGRAVE | ROWER

Sir Steve Redgrave’s rowing career has seen him win a plethora of awards, medals, trophies, and titles, including:

– One Olympic Gold Medal in Coxless Four (2000)

– Three Olympic Gold Medals in Coxless Pair (1988, 1992, 1996)

– One Olympic Gold Medal in Coxed Four (1984)

– One Olympic Bronze Medal in Coxed Pair (1988)

– Three World Championship Gold Medals in Coxless Four (1997, 98, 99)

– Five World Championship Gold Medals in Coxless Pair (1987, 91, 93, 94, 95)

– One World Championship Silver Medal in Coxless Pair (1989)

– One World Championship Bronze Medal in Coxless Pair (1990)

– One World Championship Gold Medal in Coxed Pair (1986)

– One World Championship Silver Medal in Coxed Pair (1987)

 

He is also a triple gold medallist in single sculls, coxless pair, and coxed four at the 1986 Commonwealth Games, and a triple gold medallist in coxless four at the 1997, 1999, and 2000 world cup.

Sir Steve competed at the Henley Royal Regatta for over 20 years, winning the Queen Mothers Challenge Cup twice, the Stewards’ Cup five times, the Silver Goblets eight times, the Diamond Sculls twice, Indoor World Rowing Championship once, and the Wingfield Sculls ‘Amateur Championship of the Thames and Gt Britain’ five times.

From 1991, the crews that rowed with Sir Steve were renowned for their consistent dominance, winning almost every time they raced.

His most prominent rowing partner was Matthew Pinsent and at their peak, they were often considered the best pair in the world.

“The best pair in the world today is Steve Redgrave and whomever Steve Redgrave choses to row with.

The second best pair is Matthew Pinsent and whomever Matthew Pinsent chooses to row with”.

 

SIR STEVE REDGRAVE | PERSONAL OBSTACLES

What makes Sir Steve’s achievements even more impressive, is that they were achieved against a background of series illness.

With careful supervision, discipline, and determination, he was able to train through such obstacles and achieve greatness.

In 1992 he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis jut before the Barcelona Olympics, and has since supported the Crohn’s and Colitis UK Charity.

“There were times when it seemed as if colitis would prevent me from reaching my goals but, with the right medical treatment, I was able to keep the illness under control and continue with my life.”

In 1997 he was diagnosed with diabetes.

Having initially thought his career might be over, he sought the guidance of medical professionals, and proved that diabetes didn’t have to mean the end of his athletic achievements. “I decided very early on that diabetes was going to live with me, not me live with diabetes.”

He was also severely dyslexic and struggled until he was diagnosed when he was 11 years old, but did not get the support in 1974 that he would have today.

Dyslexia has continued to be a challenge for Steve to overcome in his post-competitive career, which has included speeches, talks, and presentations.

“The prospect never fills me with joy but I have learned to work with it to the best of my ability”.

SIR STEVE REDGRAVE | POST ROWING CAREER

He hasn’t completely turned his back on rowing though, and has remained closely involved with the sport.

He has mentored a number of the Team GB Rowing squad, as well as working with people outside of rowing, such as Sir Mo Farah.

In 2018, he became the Chinese national rowing squad’s first ever performance director.

Tasked with increasing their medal tally, his expertise saw the squad gain its highest ever position in the medals table at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

 

SIR STEVE REDGRAVE | WRITTEN WORK

Sir Steve is the bestselling author of six books, including:

– The Complete Book of Rowing (1995): An informative book covering a wide range of rowing topics such as technique and terminology.

– The Golden Age (2000): Sir Steve’s autobiography

– You Can Win at Life (2005): Steve outlines his strategies for reaching the top, and shows you how you can apply them in all walks of life.

– Inspired (2009): Sir Steve writes about the motivation gained from his heroes and peers in sport, including Jonny Wilkinson and Roger Bannister, as well as his experience overcoming adversity and becoming an elite sportsman.

– Enduring Success (2010): Sir Steve provides lessons learnt from business about long-term results and how to achieve them

– Great Olympic Moments (2009): A photographic book recounting his favourite Olympic stories, including stars such as Lord Sebastian Coe, Michael Johnson, and Dame Kelly Holmes.

 

SIR STEVE REDGRAVE | COMMERCIAL ROLES

Since retiring from competition, Sir Steve has been involved with a range of brands and organisations in commercial roles, including:

– Ted’s Health: launched a cross-media campaign to raise awareness of the impact of low testosterone on men’s health

– Gleeds: he became a brand ambassador for Gleeds, one of the world’s leading management and construction consultants

– Specsavers: Sir Steve became an ambassador for the opticians to help raise awareness of sight loss through diabetes

– Step One: Sir Steve is an investor and ambassador for the underwear company founded by former Australian rower Greg Taylor

– Wave-tricity: Sir Steve helps support and promote the idea of using an oar to generate power and harness power to provide a highly efficient and low-maintenance source of energy

 

SIR STEVE REDGRAVE | VOLUNTARY WORK

Over the years, Sir Steve has held a range of voluntary positions for brands and companies, including:

– TASS (a government-funded scheme)

– Freeman: Waterman and Lighterman of the River Thames

– Honorary President of British Rowing

– Member of Laureus Sport for Good

– Patron of CRY

– Patron of SportsAble

– President of BASI

– President of Marlow Town Regatta and Festival

– Chair of Henley Royal Regatta

– Chair of the Athletes Advisory Group

– Vice President of British Olympic Association

SIR STEVE REDGRAVE | CHARITY

Sir Steve set up the Steve Redgrave Trust in 2001, aiming to raise £5 million for a range of children’s charities.

In 2006, he raised a record £1.8 million for charity at the London Marathon, breaking that initial target of £5 million.

In 2008, the trust joined Sport Relief and became part of the Sport Relief family.

He is also an advocate for clean waterways in the UK and is involved in charity work that promotes cleaning up the rivers, lakes, and the coastlines; he is Vice President of Diabetes UK and of SPARKS; and was part of the team who created Sport Relief.

 

SIR STEVE REDGRAVE | CORPORATE WORK

Achieving everything he could on every major world stage, Sir Steve cemented his position in sporting history, and continues to make valuable contributions through corporate events.

As a speaker, he has travelled internationally, sharing his experiences as an elite sportsman, his experience battling health conditions, and how to adopt his winning mindset.

He aims to inspire audience members through his own story, highlighting:

– How to Become the Best in the Field

– Overcoming Adversity

– Health Conditions: Colitis, Dyslexia, Diabetes

– Teamwork

– Motivation

– Preparation

 

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great Sports Speakers now to book Olympic Rowing Legend Steve Redgrave to speak at your next live event worldwide.

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