In Britain, the reference to redgrave is well known. Simon Clegg, CEO of British Olympic Committee, best summed up redgrave's brilliant sports achievements.
"I don't think any athlete in the history of the British Olympic Games can surpass redgrave. Winning the Olympic gold medal five times in a row in the highly competitive rowing competition is a feat of superman, which is difficult to surpass. "
Redgrave, 46, started rowing training in middle school. He told reporters that his Olympic dream began at that time.
"When I 15, 16, people said that you might become a world champion in the future. I thought at that time, the world champion sounds good, why not the Olympic champion! So from the age of 17, I decided to participate in three Olympic Games. My goal at that time was to participate in the Moscow Olympic Games at the age of 18, win a medal at the Olympic Games at the age of 1984 or enter the finals, and then win the Olympic gold medal at the age of 1988. This used to be my dream. "
Although redgrave's desire to participate in the Moscow Olympic Games was dashed by the boycott of some western countries, he realized his Olympic dream ahead of schedule. Moreover, in reality, his achievements are more brilliant than his dreams.
"1984 I was selected to participate in the Los Angeles Olympic Games and won a gold medal. Four years later, I won another Olympic gold medal. Over and over again, I participated in the five Olympic Games and won the gold medal every time. "
1 From 1984 to 2000, redgrave participated in the five Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Seoul, Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney, and won five gold medals and1bronze medals in rowing. In addition, from 1986 to 1999, redgrave won the world championship for nine consecutive times. In 2000, redgrave was knighted by the Queen of England.
During 25 years of hard training, redgrave worked very hard. After 1997, his physical condition appeared problems, which directly threatened his sports career.
"Three years before the Sydney Olympics, I got diabetes. When I learned about my illness, my first thought was, it's over, my sports career is over. I don't know which athlete has diabetes before and can continue to compete. Our training intensity is very strong, and having diabetes means that there is almost no chance to compete. Fortunately, my health consultant is young and far-sighted. He said why he couldn't take part in the competition. Therefore, although he didn't think about how to let me train and compete in this state, I was encouraged by him to resume training and competition. "
Through the unconventional treatment of insulin injection and normal diet, redgrave controlled his illness and maintained his physical strength, and conducted another three years of rigorous training for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Although there were some problems in the process, although the training at that time was very painful for him, he persisted with extraordinary perseverance and continued the unbeaten myth, winning the gold medal for the fifth time at the Sydney Olympic Games.
Speaking of so many medals, redgrave said humorously that no one can think of more gold medals. When asked if he was worried that his reputation would be destroyed before winning the last Olympic gold medal, redgrave didn't think so.
"I never worry about this. After I participated in my third Olympic Games, a friend once told me that you have won so many gold medals, don't you think you have done your best? I think I still face many challenges. I think I can do it faster, become a better athlete and win another Olympic gold medal. If I think I may not win the game, I always feel a bit like a coward. How do you know if you don't try! "
After the Sydney Olympic Games, redgrave officially retired. In April this year, redgrave participated in the London torch relay of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games as the first torchbearer. He said that he was honored to run the first leg for the Beijing Olympic Games, and he believed that the Beijing Olympic Games would be a wonderful one.