This is the stuff of dreams Steve Redgrave

According to the Times newspaper, after the race Redgrave said to his crewmates, "Remember these six minutes for the rest of your lives. Listen to the crowd and take it all in. This is the stuff of dreams."

The four Britons took the title over the 2,000-metres course in five minutes and 56.24 seconds, beating the Italians by just 0.38 seconds.

His father, wife and three children were overcome with emotion as they watched Redgrave make sporting history.

Britain's Minster of Sport, Kate Hoey, was also watching the race in Sydney and said he was "the greatest Olympic athlete of all time".

The 38-year-old rower has had a glittering career winning the coxed four gold in Los Angeles in 1984 and the coxless pair golds in Seoul in 1988, Barcelona in 1992 and Atlanta in 1996.

Only Hungary's Aladar Gerevich beats him in the tally of consecutive golds - he won six in succession between 1932 and 1960 in the team sabre fencing.

After Atlanta he famously announced he should be shot if he went near a boat again. Today he would only say he wanted to enjoy the moment of victory before thinking about his future.

Princess Anne presented the medals as the British National Anthem was played and thousands of spectators shouted "Arise Sir Steve!"

There is little doubt that Redgrave will be knighted for his Herculean achievements. He already has a CBE for services to rowing, adding to the MBE he received 10 years ago.

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