Redgrave to make one-off comeback

Redgrave (right) and co won gold in a thrilling finish in Sydney

Sir Steve Redgrave will be reunited with the crew who helped him win his fifth Olympic gold medal for one final race at Eton's Dorney Lake next month.

Redgrave, Sir Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell and Tim Foster will team up on 28 May to raise money for children affected by December's Asian tsunami.

The quartet have not raced together since their coxless fours win in 2000.

Australia are expected to provide stiff opposition after arriving in the UK well ahead of other country's crews.

The Italy, New Zealand and Slovenia quartets are expected to arrive on Friday, some four days behind the Australians.

Brothers Geoff and James Stewart and Ben Dodwell all rowed in Sydney but Bo Hanson has been replaced by Jamie Fernandez because of his wife's pregnancy.

"Training went well and we were really pleased with the boat," said James Stewart.

"It may be a fun event for charity but we take any race seriously and we are giving 100% up for this.

"We are all still competing at the top level and the shorter distance this time will suit us more than Britain. There are differences between this race and the one in Sydney but it is still our chance to re-write history."

The British crew edged out their Italian rivals by just 0.38 seconds in a race which was watched by 6.6 million BBC viewers despite being broadcast at about midnight UK time.

After the Sydney final, I never thought I would compete with these great men again Sir Steve Redgrave

Redgrave devised the rematch - named the National Lottery Legends Sprint - to take place during the Rowing World Cup.

The event will raise funds to help the World Food Programme's appeal, which feeds children in tsunami-hit areas.

"It's a special race for us all," he said.

"Not only does it reunite Matthew, James, Tim and I, but it will also raise valuable funds to support children whose lives have been dramatically affected by the tsunami disaster.

"After the Sydney final, I never thought I would compete with these great men again.

"Purely as a sportsman, a chance to do so, against such talented competition, is enough of an incentive for me to get back into a boat.

"Being able to raise money that goes directly to children whose lives have been devastated by the tsunami only adds to my desire to take part."