Redgrave set for record books

Britain's four: ready for the 'Oarsome Foursome'

The man dubbed 'The Athlete of the Century' is back and attempting to make his mark in the new millenium. Steve Redgrave, Britain's greatest ever Olympian, is going for gold at the age of 38, but this time in a new event.

In 1984, he won his first gold medal in the coxed fours. Three others followed in the coxless pairs.

Now, however, he is seeking his fifth in the coxless fours, and will have to beat off a concerted challenge from an Australian crew who will be backed by an expected 40,000 people at the Penrith Lakes in Sydney.

It promises to be the most anticipated and intriguing clash of the whole Games. Can he do it?

Redgrave and Pinsent

The clash everyone will be waiting for is between Redgrave's crew and the Australian four, the so-called 'Oarsome Foursome.' His 1996 gold medal-winning partner, Matthew Pinsent, together with James Cracknell and Tim Foster, join Redgrave.

Throughout 1999 the team were unstoppable, remaining unbeaten and claiming the World Championship gold by trouncing the Aussies in the final.

Medal hopes

But 2000 has seen a few setbacks, most recently at the World Cup Regatta in July where they finished fourth, an unheard of result that had the foursome and their fans scratching their heads. Let's hope it was an aberration.

Great Britain also has medal hopes in the men's eight. The squad is Andrew Lindsay, Ben Hunt-Davis, Simon Dennis, Louis Attrill, Luka Grubor, Kieran West, Fred Scarlett, Steve Trapmore and cox Rowley Douglas. The eight just missed out on World Championship glory when they were pipped on the line by the US in 1999.

Greg Searle

In the same meet where Redgrave et al lost recently they managed to win, so a medal is distinct possibility, though the US are favourites for gold.

Ed Coode and Greg Searle will also be on the lookout for a medal in the coxless pairs.

The Brits have a chance to break their medal duck in the women's event, though it will be tough. Dot Blackie and Cath Bishop will have to improve upon their excellent fifth in the World Championships of 1999, but informed opinion believes they are capable of it.

At Atlanta, Australia took the most gold medals and could do so again, though they will be challenged by the United States, Italy, Germany, Canada and the Netherlands, who will all field strong crews.