OLYMPIAN Sir Steve Redgrave met with military athletes at Help For Heroes' recovery centre in Tidworth today.  

His visit to Tedworth House was part of a Help for Heroes and British Rowing Talent Series event.

Redgrave, who has won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games, was there to find out more about the charity's sports recovery programme, which helps military athletes at a high performance and grass roots level, and the other services it provides.

He said: “Those in the armed forces are naturally competitive and sharp. When they get injured that is taken away from them and there is a big hole to fill.

"For those that are wounded to still be able to do sport is amazing and to see their vigour and determination is very impressive.

“Tedworth House is a very impressive, state-of-the-art facility that even British elite sport could benefit from and I’m glad I could come and be a part of it.”

During his visit, the medal-winning rower met veteran Scott Meenagh who has recently been selected as part of the British Rowing Development Squad and one day hopes to represent Great Britain at a Paralympic Games.

On meeting Redgrave, Scott said: “It is amazing to see such a legend of rowing taking a keen interest in what happens at Help for Heroes, from a grassroots and elite level. Paralympic rowing is still so new so for Sir Steve to be supporting us is phenomenal.

“Every individual rower who met him are on their very own special journey and I am sure Sir Steve will one day be glad that he was a part of that for them.”

Help for Heroes and British Rowing have committed to host a number of camps for wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans.

The camp, which is the second held in the series, was open to people of all abilities to provide a grass roots opportunity to get involved in rowing. Educational workshops were also delivered around how best to perform in sport and get the most out of training.

The Olympian also met James Rose, 27, a former member of 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment. He lost both his legs after an improvised explosive device went off underfoot while on patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in November 2009 and now uses rowing as a way to keep fit.

“The rowing camp has been fantastic all week and was topped off with the visit by Sir Steve. He is hugely inspirational and congratulated me on my current Personal Best’s and advised me on some training tips. Advice from him means so much.”