Sir Steve Redgrave says he is prepared to "ruffle feathers" after being appointed as the government's '2012 Sports Champion' to advise on boosting participation in sport in the run-up to the London Olympics.

Britain's most successful ever Olympian will champion the drive to get more people playing sport.

Redgrave, five times Olympic rowing champion, said: "2012 is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to change the habits of a nation and get across to everyone why sport and physical activity matters.

"This is a great responsibility but a great opportunity as well.

"I want to work with those who have the task of making sure the benefits happen from hosting the Olympics and Paralympics but I won't be afraid to ruffle feathers if I need to."

Six other Olympic and Paralympic medallists who are already school sport ambassadors will have their roles expanded to support Redgrave.

They are: Darren Campbell and Jason Gardener, sprint relay gold medallists at Athens in 2004; Gail Emms, badminton mixed doubles silver medallist in Athens; Joe Glanfield, sailing silver medallist in Athens and Beijing; Sascha Kindred, who won 11 swimming medals (six gold) at four Paralympics from 1996 to 2008; Denise Lewis, heptathlon gold medallist at Sydney in 2000.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Sir Steve Redgrave is exactly the right man to harness the power and reach of the games and help inspire the nation to become more actively involved in sport and help deliver a fantastic legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games once the flame has left London.''

Redgrave will become a member of a new legacy delivery board which will oversee efforts to achieve the Government's target of getting one million adults playing more sport and getting young people to do five hours of sport inside and outside school.