After opening the FISA World Rowing Masters Regatta, Redgrave backed the Glasgow bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games – but maintains any thoughts of competing then will not interest him.

Redgrave said: “I had quite a successful regatta here and won three Commonwealth gold medals here in five days, so I have very, very good memories of Strathclyde Park.

“Bringing the 2014 Games to Glasgow would be a great boost for Scotland, and, if rowing is included, the Commonwealth rowing countries. The bid has my full support.

“But I have no ambitions to compete at all. I will be 52 then.

“When I heard about Glasgow bidding for the Commonwealth Games in 2014, I thought, maybe as reigning commonwealth champion, perhaps I should be back to hold my title.

“But only if I go and move to some small Commonwealth country somewhere might I get selected.”

Redgrave joined First Minister Jack McConnell in backing the Glasgow bid after his successful patronage of the London Olympics for 2012.

The leader of the Scottish Executive believes the existing facilities around Scotland’s largest city already gives Glasgow the edge.

McConnell said: “One of the remarkable things about Glasgow’s bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games is that there are already so many facilities in and around Glasgow that can be used for those games.

“The facilities at Strathclyde Park have hosted the Commonwealth Games before.

“They have been upgraded since then and this weekend will show what a fantastic facility this is.

“I’m sure that will be an additional reason for many countries to recognise Glasgow and Scotland as the place they would want to come to in 2014.”