When racing begins at the summer’s opening World Cup regatta on Friday, there will be an unfamiliar sight of Sir Steve Redgrave running his eye over the Chinese crews, after the five-times Olympic champion was appointed the high-performance director of the country’s rowing association yesterday. The competitive setting in Belgrade will be the first time that Redgrave will have got up close to the Chinese senior squads and coaches. He will not coach the rowers but will offer advice and try to improve the structure and methods at all levels, as well as teaching the coaches. One overriding aim is to promote the sport’s popularity. He is likely to be the first in a series of appointments by the Chinese, who are in talks with…

Source: The Times May 28, 2018 17:08 UTC