(27 July 1996; Day 7)
At the Atlanta Olympics Games, the task at hand for Steven REDGRAVE was to focus, to force out any distractions set to defeat him mentally or physically. A task REDGRAVE completed with the utmost discipline and grandeur on Saturday, capturing his fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal in rowing competition.
"There was so much pressure put on us by the media and ourselves," said REDGRAVE. "We have focused our efforts on July 27 for the last four years. I have never concentrated that much time to win a gold. It is a relief."
Four years ago, REDGRAVE and fellow crew member Matthew PINSENT took the gold medal in the men's coxless pair in Barcelona. And now, another Olympic games, another gold for the dynamic duo of rowing.
For the pair to capture the gold medal seemed only right. After all, they showed no signs of flinching, winning their preliminary and semifinal races to earn the chance at another medal.
In Saturday's final, the British men rowed the race and brought home another gold medal for Great Britain. With a time of 6:20.09, the pair crossed the line only one second ahead of Australians David WEIGHTMAN and Robert SCOTT, who earned the silver. However, the race did not seem that close to the British.
"We were hoping to take a slight lead in the beginning, but we jumped out to a boat length," said REDGRAVE. "I was surprised how quickly we moved away from everybody. This was not how it was supposed to be."
"We were both so determined to make it work," added PINSENT. "It was the final nail in the coffin."
In 1984, REDGRAVE's incredible trek through territory not yet explored by another rower began in this country, capturing the gold as a member of the men's coxed four in Los Angeles. In Seoul, REDGRAVE attempted two events, winning the gold in the men's coxless pair with partner Andrew HOLMES and the bronze in the coxed pairs with HOLMES and coxswain Pat SWEENEY.
REDGRAVE and PINSENT teamed up in Barcelona to earn the highest honor in athletic competition, their first gold together. Over the past four years, the pair have dominated, unbeaten since 1992 including four world championship titles (1991, 1993-95).
As for the return of the dynamic duo in Sydney, PINSENT and REDGRAVE don't know where they will go from here. "We have got no plans on the water or off," said PINSENT. "Today was the goal."
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by M. Lynne Bragg.
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| Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Games involved a crew of 2,100 who worked with more than 3,500 performers as well as thousands of athletes who celebrated on the field of Olympic Stadium. |