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Redgrave: Hoy believes Redgrave's success is best
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According to Chris Hoy, Great Britain's newest Olympic great, multiple gold medallist Michael Phelps is nothing next to Sir Steve Redgrave.
Despite Phelps winning an amazing eight golds in Beijing, to accompany his six in Athens, Hoy believes Redgrave's run of five medals from five Olympic Games is a greater achievement.
"I still don't think you can compare a multiple gold-medallist for one Games to an athlete that wins Olympics after Olympics," the 32-year-old, who picked up three medals himself at these Games said.
"For me, comparing Steve Redgrave to Michael Phelps, I don't think there's any contest.
"Michael Phelps is an amazing athlete but to be able to do what Steve Redgrave did is a lot more impressive. To maintain focus and that drive and to stay at the top that long, it's incredible."
When his own accomplishments are compared to Redgrave's and Sir Matthew Pinsent's, Hoy, who missed out on the election to the IOC's athletes' commission, is uncomfortable. Yet with wins in Athens and Beijing and possibly in 2012, it may feel more deserving.
"It's flattering to be mentioned in the same sentence as these guys but I don't see myself as having that status," Hoy added.
"I've got to at least win gold in London to even start being in that kind of bracket, really."
Reputation
Both in terms of equipment and sports psychology, British Cycling has established an international reputation for being at the cutting edge of sport. Hoy has welcomed the news that performance director Dave Brailsford's ideas man, Chris Boardman, wants to recruit his old rival Graeme Obree.
"Graeme was an inspiration to me when I was younger just after I'd started on the track," said Hoy.
"To see a Scottish rider, someone who had no backing, no funding, no support and who was doing it off his own back, he is awesome."
Becoming famous for his innovative approach to cycling, Obree invented the 'tuck' and the 'superman' positions, although both were banned by the International Cycling Union. Hoy is looking forward to seeing what Obree's free-thinking can bring to British Cycling.
