Sir Steve Redgrave thinks Prince William and Duchess Catherine will have a "positive impact" on Team GB Athletes at the Olympics.

The men's rowing champion - who won five Olympic gold medals between 1984 and 2000 - is glad the royal couple are so supportive of the British team and thinks they will bring a morale boost to the camp.

He said: "They are both heavily involved in supporting our athletes at 2012 and will be coming along to watch a lot of our stars compete, which will have a very positive impact.

"What's great about Kate and William is that it is clear that they do not pay lip service. They are very into their sports and are genuinely interested, like Princess Anne."

Catherine went along to a training session with the Team GB hockey team - as she used to play as a youngster - and Steve reveals she was thrilled to have the chance to do so.

He added to Hello! magazine: "Kate played hockey when she was at school and went along to join in with some training with the GB hockey team. Anyone who has done sport at even a very minor level would love to go along and mess around with the Olympic athletes, and it was clearly a thrill for her."