Sir Steve Redgrave urges Thames clean-up amid young rowers' race

Olympic rowing champion Sir Steve Redgrave is urging the government to take urgent action against pollution in the River Thames, coinciding with the participation of 3,000 young rowers in the Schools' Head of the River Race. In a letter to Environment Secretary Steve Reed, he criticized water companies for their 'pollution for profit' practices and called for better infrastructure and regulatory powers to hold polluters accountable. Redgrave emphasized the health risks associated with rowing in contaminated water, which often leads to illness among athletes. He noted that current pollution levels are unacceptable, describing the river as being treated like an 'open sewer.' Alongside conservationists and River Action, Redgrave has also supported guidelines for rowers to minimize health risks when water quality is poor. The champion expressed that without immediate intervention, the future of rowing on the Thames may be jeopardized due to safety concerns.