Steve Redgrave Marlow School. Redgrave's primary discipline was sweep rowing where he won Olympic Gold rowing both bowside and strokeside (port and starboard). From 1991 the crews in which he rowed became renowned for their consistent dominance, winning almost every time they raced. For much of his career he suffered illness—in 1992 he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, and in 1997 he was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2. Redgrave won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000 plus a bronze medal at the 1988 Summer Games. Immediately after winning the 1996 Olympic Gold Medal, he stated if
Ireland at the 2012 Summer Olympics had only a single competitor in the sprint canoeing, track cycling, equestrian dressage, judo, rowing and shooting events. This was Ireland's most successful Olympics, winning a total of 6 medals (1 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze) in three sports: boxing, athletics and equestrian show jumping. Boxer Katie Taylor, who was Ireland's flag bearer at the opening ceremony, won Ireland's first Olympic gold medal in 16 years. Light flyweight boxer Paddy Barnes defended his bronze medal from Beijing, becoming the second Irish athlete in 80 years to win medals at two consecutive Olympics. For the first time since 1980, Ireland