Olympic champ Cracknell to be a Boat Race rower for Cambridge at 46

James Cracknell is revealed in the Cambridge University boat race team Credit: Press Association

Two-time Olympic champion James Cracknell will become the oldest person to compete in the Boat Race after Cambridge selected him for the 2019 contest.

The super-fit 46-year-old won gold medals at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, before retiring from elite rowing in 2006.

He is almost 25 years older than some of his Cambridge University Boat Club team mates.

Mr Cracknell is studying for a philosophy degree at the university. He was also offered a place at Oxford.

This year's race will take place on April 7. Today, the teams were revealed during their weigh-in in London.

Oxford and Cambridge line up in front of Tower Bridge Credit: Press Association

Cracknell, who has maintained his fitness, running a sub-three-hour marathon in 2017, is eight years older than the previous oldest competitor, Andy Probert. He coxed for Cambridge in 1992.

The Light Blues will be hoping their former Olympic star will help them repeat their success of 2018.

James Cracknell took part in the weigh-in as the teams were unveiled today Credit: Press Association