Sir Steve Redgrave’s Absence from BBC’s Paris Olympics Coverage: Telegraph/Heathcliff O’Malley

Sir Steve Redgrave, the legendary British rower, will not be part of the BBC’s coverage of the Paris Olympics unless there is a late change of plan. This news comes as a shock to many, as Redgrave has been a fixture at every Games since 1984, where he won the first of his five consecutive gold medals.

Redgrave revealed to the Daily Mail that he had lost his role as a BBC pundit to Dame Katherine Grainger and had also missed out on the opportunity to become the British Rowing performance director to Louise Kingsley. This marks the first time in 40 years that Redgrave will not be involved in the Olympics in some capacity.

The decision to replace Redgrave as a BBC pundit was reportedly made after UK Sport chair Grainger joined the corporation and it was decided that they did not need all three of them, with Sir Matthew Pinsent also in the mix. Redgrave also cited his previous role as high-performance director of China’s national rowing team during the last Games as a factor in the decision.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on these roles, Redgrave remains open to the possibility of being involved in the Paris Olympics if he receives a last-minute call. He expressed his willingness to help out if needed, highlighting his experience and expertise in the sport.

It remains to be seen whether Redgrave will indeed be part of the Paris Olympics coverage, but his absence will surely be felt by fans and colleagues alike. The legacy of this rowing icon continues to be a source of inspiration for many in the sport.