Sir Steve Redgrave recalls Olympian greats in Rickmansworth (From Watford Observer)

Sir Steve Redgrave recalls Olympian greats in Rickmansworth

2:21pm Friday 7th October 2011 in Interviews By Melanie Dakin

Twenty years in a boat going backwards is how Sir Steve Regrave modestly describes his legendary Olympic career in his new book, Great Olympic Moments, which he will share with audiences in Rickmansworth next week.

Sir Steve is a sportsman in every sense of the word. One of an elite group of only five athletes in history to have achieved five gold medals in consecutive Olympic Games, he has come to epitomise dedication, drive, team work and fair play.

For his book, Steve has plundered the archives of Getty Images and others to bring us the most iconic pictures from Olympic history. Gymnast Nadia Comaneci poised mid-flight, boxer Cassius Clay mock-punching The Beatles and sprint champion Michael Johnson arching back to see his qualifying time are just a few of the gems from this lavishly compiled tribute to sporting excellence.

I ask Steve if sourcing the pictures was an Olympian task?

“It was an absolute nightmare in some ways,“ admits Steve. “I was working on it for over a year – it was a slow process because Getty had hundreds of images and each one was slightly different so you had to trawl through to find just the right one.“ Steve cites the portrait of a casual looking Daley Thompson standing hands on hips at the Eurpoean Championships in 1982 while all his fellow athletes lie sprawled on the ground at his feet.

“This picture wasn’t taken at the Olympics but it was just something that always stuck in my mind how he was never going to let the opposition think he was exhausted. He used to say never lie down after a race. He wasn’t going to show his weakness, there just wasn’t any room for that.“ Determination is a common theme among Olympians. Born in Marlow in 1962, Steve began rowing while at school. He went on to win his first World medal for rowing in 1980, followed by nine World Championships and three Commonwealth Gold Medals, and, of course, those five gold medals in five consecutive Olympic Games in an endurance event.

Somebody will be the face of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The magic of that is you don’t know who it will be until it happens

Sir Steve Redgrave

After retiring from rowing, Steve has worked with charities and founded The Steve Redgrave Fund, which aims to provide sporting opportunities for disadvantaged children and their communities. He was also a founding member of the London 2012 bid.

“Being in the bid role I was able to see the sketches and come forward with ideas. I saw it as a flat site and had fun with a bulldozer knocking down one of the buildings. Now it’s great to see finished structures with mature trees and the green view over the picnic area, which is almost finished.“ Sir Steve says his Chorleywood visit will be a Q&A session where the audience can ask him “anything they like“.

So, what does it mean to be called Britain’s greatest Olympian?

“You’ve got to relish it because next year I’ll probably lose that title. There are people who will probably win more medals than me such as Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins. Ben Ainslie will hopefully win his fourth Olympic medal next year. That’s the wonder of the Olympics. It throws up all sorts of different personalities and somebody will be the face of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The magic of that is you don’t know who it will be until it happens.“

Sir Steve Redgrave will be appearing at The Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth Park, Rickmansworth on Thursday, October 13 at 7.30pm. His book is published by Headline, price £20. Details: The Chorleywood Bookshop on 01923 283566, www.chorleywoodbookshop.co.uk