Redgrave - It's time to quit

13 April 2012

Steve Redgrave insists he will not try to add a sixth Olympic gold medal to his record-breaking collection.  

Britain's greatest Olympian completed a historic fifth successive Games triumph when he led the coxless four - also comprising of Matthew Pinsent, Tim Foster and James Cracknell - to rowing glory in Sydney.

Redgrave was initially coy about whether he would go on to Athens in 2004 to have a crack at making it six of the best.

But he told the News of the World: "That's it for me. It's over. This was my defining moment.

"I don't even think I'll go out in a boat any more. It's time to find something else to do."

The 38-year-old Marlow man proved the doubters wrong when he fulfilled his ambition to claim his fifth Olympic gold.

He said: "I know people were saying I was too old, that I was holding everybody back.

"But if you look at the facts, there is no other British Olympian who has won more medals than me.

"Now everybody knows I am the best there is."

Redgrave famously invited anyone to shoot him if they caught him in a boat again after winning his fourth gold medal in Atlanta.

But this time he appears to have made a final decision after revealing that his wife Ann had told him that their marriage would be at end if he opted to carry on.

Redgrave admitted that although he is likely to take a well-deserved break for a while, he was not ready to turn his back on the sport completely.

"I can see myself coaching one day, but not at the moment," he said.

"The coach puts in so much time - so much more than the athletes - and it's the time and commitment that I want to get away from."

Redgrave also tipped Pinsent - who has now won three Olympic golds himself - to go on and become the best rower in the world.

"He is the dominant force in the world of rowing," said Redgrave. "Now he is the top dog, not me.

"We have always been pretty level, but in the last 12 months Matthew has gone on to reach new levels that I have never been able to reach.

"And yes it is possible that he could go on and emulate what I have done."

Redgrave also paid tribute the other members of the gold-medal winning crew, saying: "James is very single-minded and very strong. He brings youth and enthusiasm to the boat.

"Tim is more of the technician in the crew. He is technically so good and disciplined. He always looks on the positive side of things and helps give everyone great encouragement."

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