Five-time Olympic champion Steve Redgrave has been named the high-performance director for China’s national rowing team.

It is the first time the Chinese Rowing Association has hired a high-profile figure from outside China to support the national squad.

With China looking to improve the standard of rowing and promote the sport in the country, the Briton will help the national team as it strives to reach its target of two gold medals at Tokyo 2020.

Redgrave said he was delighted to be taking up the post and explained that it was “the right time to commit to a new and exciting role”.

“I have visited China to watch the team train and compete and I’m very excited about becoming involved with such an enthusiastic and committed group of athletes,” he said.

China has only won one Olympic gold medal in rowing, which came when the women’s quadruple sculls won at Beijing 2008. The team also secured two bronze medals at Rio 2016.

Redgrave has been tasked with managing a new coaching structure aimed at achieving success at the highest level on the world stage. He will also look into implementing a youth development program.

The 56-year-old retired from participating after Sydney 2000, having won gold at every Games since Los Angeles in 1984.

As one of the United Kingdom’s most successful Olympians, Redgrave has received numerous awards for his achievements, including a knighthood for his services to sport.

He is also chairman of the Henley Royal Regatta, which is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames in the town of Henley-on-Thames. It is a role he will continue with.

“My decision to take the position in China was not one I made lightly,” he said. “With the Tokyo Olympics fast approaching and looking ahead to Paris in 2024, the new role in China will be demanding, but I look forward to the challenge of helping China become one of the top rowing nations in the world while continuing to honor my commitments in the UK.”

Redgrave was welcomed to his new role by Liu Aijie, chairman of the Chinese Rowing Association, who told local media he was looking forward to future improvements in the standard of Chinese rowing under Redgrave’s guidance.