The survey, conducted by Commonwealth Games England, saw Redgrave beat off competition from sporting figures such as Bobby Moore, Daley Thompson, Sir Roger Bannister and David Beckham.

"It’s a great honour to be voted as the country’s Greatest Sporting Icon of all time," said Sir Steve, who is currently getting into training for the Race Across America, renowned as the world’s toughest endurance cycle event.

"I’m very proud to be English, and to be voted ahead of some of England’s all time sporting legends is fantastic."

Sir Steve, was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2000, the year he earned his final Olympic gold in Sydney, and was voted as the BBC’s all-time Golden Sports Personality of the Year in 2008.

In 2002, his achievement of winning gold medals at five consecutive Olympic games was voted the greatest sporting moment in Channel 4's 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.

Sir Steve, and seven of his old rowing friends, will seek to raise £100,000 through a 3,000 miles relay race across the Rockies and Appalachians.

That sum would be enough to extend Sir Steve’s indoor rowing centre scheme to another inner-city location.

The Steve Redgrave fund, now administered by Sport Relief, has raised close to £6 million for charity since 2001.

Sir Steve, who has three Commonwealth Games gold medals to his name, is more of a sprinter when it comes to running - although he has raised millions with three London Marathon runs - and cycling.

"I would much rather race Sir Chris Hoy round a track than cycle across America," he said with a chuckle.

"But I’m committed now."

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