The 23rd September 2000 was guaranteed a special place in the history of the Olympic Games, when Britain's Sir Steven Redgrave (38) won his fifth medal in five successive Games - Los Angeles, Seoul, Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney.

But even before the Sydney Games, Sir Steven had already confirmed his status as Britain's most successful Olympian and the world's greatest ever oarsman. In addition to his Olympic successes and following four unbeaten seasons from 1993 to 1996, Steve (and partner Matthew Pinsent) won his ninth World Championship GOLD in August 1999 in St Catherine’s, Canada. His previous World Championship Golds were in 1986, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 and 1998. He has also won many other honours in the sport over the past eleven years, including the Henley Royal Regatta Diamond Sculls several times and the Silver Goblets a record seven times. In 1986 Sir Steven became a Triple Commonwealth Gold Medallist at Edinburgh, winning the Single Scull, Coxless Pairs, and Coxed Four.

His other sporting interests include golf and winter sports, and during the 1989/90 season, he was a member of the British Bobsleigh Team. Together with partner Matthew Pinsent, Sir Steven is the holder of the WORLD RECORD in Coxless Pairs set in Lucerne in 1994 and the OLYMPIC RECORD, set in Atlanta in 1996.

But perhaps even more impressive than Redgrave's extraordinary athletic performances themselves, is the fact that they were achieved against a background of serious illnesses. He nearly missed the Atlanta Games due to Colitis, for which he still receives treatment, and in 1997 he was diagnosed as diabetic.

Sir Steven was awarded the MBE and the CBE. The University of Durham also awarded him an Honorary Degree in December 1996.

He is also a very popular motivational speaker, injecting his own style of friendly informality and humour to the occasion. He speaks about the focus, determination, resourcefulness and brilliant teamwork it takes to achieve gold.