http://www.teletext.co.uk/tvplus/feature-interview/default.aspxen-gbThu, 7 Aug 2008 22:11:49 GMThttp://www.teletext.co.uk/images/Logo64x64.gifhttp://www.teletext.co.ukSir Steve Redgrave requested after the 1996 Olympics to be shot if he was spotted near a rowing boat again, writes Jonathan Donald.<img src="http://feeds.teletext.co.uk/~r/entertainment/tv-plus/feature-interview/~4/358804376" height="1" width="1"/>
Fortunately, finally hanging up his oars - which he didn't actually do until 2000 - hasn't meant distancing himself from sport entirely.

The five-time gold medal winner will be among the BBC pundits sharing his expertise at this year's Games.

To the rower, the Olympics remain the ultimate sporting challenge.

"It becomes a whole festival of success," says Redgrave, 46. "My own favourite memory was my return from Sydney (where he won gold in 2000).

"The surprise of what we (the coxless four) did and what I did as an individual, and what response that had from people in the country. I'm amazed what an impact it made."

Redgrave accepts the controversy about China hosting the games, but believes the time is right for the country to be given the chance.

"I've only been to Shanghai for a total of three days so I'm no expert," he says. "But I think the country has opened up a huge amount in the last eight years.

"And hopefully that change will keep happening."

Looking to the prospects of the British, Redgrave believes cycling and sailing will see the most medals won.

"I really enjoyed the track cycling four years ago, so I'm going to try and see some of that," says the retired sportsman, who joined the BBC team at the 2004 Games in Athens.

In his own discipline, rowing, he thinks there could be two or three golds and six medals in total.

When the Games end in Beijing, the pressure will be on London.

Redgrave admits he would love to be able to compete in 2012. "It would have been absolutely magical, the atmosphere will be amazing, to be on that stage," he says.

"But I'll be 50 and I can't think of anything better to celebrate my 50th year than going along to a home Olympic Games."

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