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It wasn’t until between the end of 17th and the beginning of 18th centuries England when rowing had become a sport. In 1829, the first Oxford and Cambridge boat race was held in England, and is still being held every year. read more
 "Rowing- history, rules, defending champions")
Helen Glover and Polly Swann of Britain in action during the Women's Pair rowing semi-finals at the Tokyo Olympics. Reuters
Rowing has a prolonged history dating back to centuries ago. In ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, rowing was a mode of transportation among people and it wasn’t until between the end of 17th and the beginning of 18th centuries England when it had become a sport. In 1829, the first Oxford and Cambridge boat race was held in England, and is still being held every year.
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What is rowing’s history at the Olympics?
Rowing has been a permanent part of the Olympic sports programme ever since the first modern Olympics back in 1896 in Athens, Greece. However, the rowing competition was cancelled that year due to bad weather. Rowing eventually made its official Olympic debut at the 1900 Olympics in Paris.
At that time, only men’s events were held in rowing at the Olympics, with women’s events being introduced to the Games only at the 1976 Montreal Games.
Initially, the United States of America were a dominant force in rowing at Olympics, but that soon changed to Germany and the Soviet Union. Great Britain’s Steve Redgrave, who won five golds and one bronze, and Elisabeta Lipa of Romania, who has won five golds, two silvers and one bronze, are considered to be among legendary figures in rowing.
What are the rules?
In rowing, athletes ride boats with the use of oars that are fixed to the vessel. In rowing, rowing sit with their backs facing the direction of the movement of the boat, which means they cross the finish line with a backward position.
Rowing competitions generally take place across a distance of 2,000 metres, and athletes compete either individually or in teams of two, four or eight members. Double scull and weep rowing are the two different disciplines in rowing. In sculls competitions, rowers hold one oar in each hand whereas in sweep events, rowers hold a single oar with both hands.
The coxswain is someone who steers the boat and gives directions to his crew. To steer the boat, rowers use a rudder that is fixed to one of the rowers using a cable.
There are six different lanes in Olympic rowing events, with one boat in each lane. The boats can change their lane, given that it does not provide a distraction to the other boat in any way. Should a boat obstruct the other boat while changing lanes, then the individual or the team riding the boat becomes disqualified.
The sound that comes from the firing of a gun marks the start of a rowing race. If a team or individual leaves the designated position before the gun is fired, then it’s considered as a false start. A team or individual can afford one false start per race, a second such false start will lead to disqualification.
There is no points system in rowing. The winners are merely based upon where the team or individuals end up at the end of the race.
Who are the defending champions?
Men’s rowing
Single sculls: Stefanos Ntouskos (Greece)
Double sculls: France
Quadruple sculls: Netherlands
Coxless pair: Croatia
Coxless four: Australia
Coxed eight: New Zealand
Lightweight double sculls: Ireland
Women’s
Single sculls: Emma Twigg (New Zealand)
Double sculls: Romania
Quadruple sculls: China
Coxless pair: New Zealand
Coxless four: Australia
Coxed eight: Canada
Lightweight double sculls: Italy
How many athletes will take part in rowing at the Paris Olympics?
A total of 502 athletes from 14 events in rowing will compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
When and where will rowing take place at the Olympics?
Rowing competitions at the Olympics will be held between 27 July and 3 August. Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium will host the rowing competition at the Olympics.
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English (US) ·