|
|
Friday, September 22
Latest gold comes dispite medical problems
Associated Press
PENRITH, Australia -- British rower Steven Redgrave was
already among the all-time great Olympic champions. Now he stands
at a level shared by only two others.
|  | | Steven Redgrave now has enjoyed a gold-medal ceremony in five different Olympics. |
Redgrave led the Brits to victory Saturday in
the men's coxless fours. It marked his fifth consecutive Olympics with
a gold medal, something done just twice before and never in a sport
as grueling as pulling a boat 2,000 meters.
This victory was a feat in itself for someone who in the past
four years has been diagnosed with diabetes and undergone an
appendectomy. It also was special because the crew finished fourth
at a regatta this summer, drawing whispers that the 38-year-old
didn't have what it took any more.
"I've had quite a tough road," said Redgrave, whose health is
closely monitored by the team's doctor -- his wife, Ann.
Redgrave moves into the five-in-a-row club with Hungarian
fencers Aladar Gerevich and Pal Kovacs.
Gerevich won golds at the six games from 1932-60 and Kovacs won
five from '36-60; there were no games in '40 and '44 because of
World War II.
"I have no thought on it at all," Redgrave said with a sly
smile. "I've been in it for the last four years to win this. Ask
me in a few years."
Winning the fours is somewhat of a return to Redgrave's roots.
His first gold was in the coxed fours in Los Angeles. Victories in
Seoul, Barcelona and Atlanta were in the coxless pairs.
"He's a fantastic athlete," crewmate Tim Foster said. "You
don't stay at the top that long without drive, determination,
talent and hard work. Rowing with him is tremendous."
Matthew Pinsent, Redgrave's partner for the last two golds,
joined him in this boat along with Foster and James Cracknell.
Pinsent, Foster and Cracknell all raised their arms in victory
after crossing the finish. Redgrave was content just to stop
pulling.
Pinsent walked back to his friend and they hugged, then Pinsent -- who carried the British flag at the opening ceremonies, just as
Redgrave did at the two previous Olympics -- lost his balance and
wound up wet.
Redgrave loved it.
"He might not be (rowing) in four years time. The way he moved
after the race, he'll be back in the gymnastics team," Redgrave
said.
Once Pinsent got back in, the crew rowed over to the grandstand
to thank the crowd, many of whom waved British flags. Among their
supporters were member of their country's swim team, even though
they were racing in a few hours.
"There was a tremendous British presence," said Redgrave, who
was angry that organizers tried rushing the team into the medals
ceremony rather than letting them celebrate and savor their
accomplishment.
After winning in Atlanta, Redgrave looked into a television
camera and said: "Anyone who sees me go anywhere near a boat
again, ever, you've got my permission to shoot me."
He played coy this time, saying "You can assume what you want"
about Athens.
"You're not getting any famous quotes from me this time," he
said. "I've had to live with the last one for four years."
|  | |
ALSO SEE
Kidney donor Ryan, Kraft win rowing bronze
Golds could complete a pair of medical miracles
Wherley's move now paying off for U.S.
U.S. men win qualifying heat, but not by much
Eclectic American pair advance to finals
|
