Sir Steve Redgrave bows out of Henley

Sir Steve Redgrave has told us he's been focused on making sure his final year in charge of Henley Royal Regatta is a success.

The 62 year old is stepping down from the job after ten years of helping organise and run the famous event in Henley-on-Thames.

The town on the border between Berkshire and Oxfordshire is heavily associated with the five-time Olympic gold medallist's sport rowing.

Sir Steve - who grew up in Marlow - says he's proud of Henley's unique global reputation:

"Trying to win one of those red boxes with a gold medal in is a high draw.

"There's nowhere, anywhere in the world, that has an atmosphere like Henley. It's the closest you'll get to competing in a stadium in rowing.

"Noise from start to finish."

Sir Steve is bowing out as chairman of the regatta but not before overseeing the twenty-six finals which will end the six-day event.

He's one of only eleven chairman to have run the event in its 185-year history - and says he's proud of his achievements:

"I took it over ten years ago from heavy good hands - and all I wanted to do was make sure it didn't slip backwards.

"I think I have managed to do that, so I'm relatively pleased with where we are."

You can hear more from Sir Steve Redgrave in the video below.

We've also been speaking to some of the rowers who've been taking part this year.

Hear the latest news on Downtown on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.