As the excitement builds around the upcoming Paris Olympic Games in 2024, teachers will follow a new sport added to the competition – lightweight rowing. This is an exciting addition as it adds variety and more opportunities for athletes from all countries to participate.
That said, educators must understand lightweight rowing and how best to support students interested in participating. Therefore, this blog post dives deeper into exploring how you can help your students join the historical event—from understanding eligibility criteria and training requirements to discovering why this type of competitive rowing was selected in the first place!
International Olympic Committee has released the schedule for Paris 2024
This week we received the announcement that Paris 2024’s Olympic rowing programme will include the same 14 events as Tokyo. Andy Parkinson, CEO of British Rowing, commented:
Although it is disappointing that coastal rowing was not included in this year’s Olympics, we understand and appreciate the current financial difficulties faced by The IOC. We are still hopeful for LA 2028 and believe that coastal rowing will be a part of their games. We celebrate World Rowing for their tremendous efforts, which have led to this point, and we are eager to collaborate with them in the continual growth of this sport.
In anticipation of the World Rowing Coastal Championships and Beach Sprint Finals in Saundersfoot, Wales, in 2022, British Rowing will continue constructing an Olympic-level coastal program for UK athletes.
We are thrilled that lightweight rowing will stay part of the Paris 2024 program! Great Britain has had many excellent light rowers who have achieved remarkable feats on a global level. Our GB squad and all lightweight rowers in the UK rejoice at this announcement, knowing they can continue striving for excellence internationally.
World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland stated:
Although this news is disheartening for those convinced of the clear benefits Coastal Rowing brought to the Olympic Games and its sport, it has become apparent that in light of current circumstances, there was no budget or additional personnel available within Paris 2024’s Organising Committee. In France mainly, we have witnessed a tremendous impact from COVID-19 in terms of human casualties and economic losses; therefore understandable why any extra cost associated with new additions is being challenged.
World Rowing understands the difficulty of maintaining a quota across all sports. It is aware that ten other disciplines had to accept the new four events within set restrictions in the Olympic Charter. This influx led to an additional 24 places becoming available, which we will address over the upcoming months while searching for a suitable solution.
It’s terrific news that lightweight rowing has secured another Olympics, with no cutback in the number of events! Lightweight rowers have such a devoted fanbase worldwide, and they can now rejoice knowing their particular category is here to stay. This should be incredibly encouraging for everyone who loves lightweight rowing.
Moreover, the response to our proposition for integrating Coastal rowing into the Olympic program has been positive. We are ecstatic to begin meaningful conversations and earnest talks with the IOC and LA2028 to have Coastal rowing events at the Los Angeles Games of 2028.
Coastal Rowing Attracts Retired Rower
Tokyo gold medallist Michael Brake stepped away from rowing after the Olympics, but he was drawn back in by the prospect of competing at the Commonwealth Games. He explains:
“I thought, why would I not want to try this? It’s exciting; it’s new; it’s still really a growing sport as more and more people are becoming aware of it, more and more people are coming and trying it and enjoying it.”
The beach-based discipline was last year added to the 2026 Commonwealth Games programme for Victoria, Australia and is expected to be made an Olympic event in 2028. Brake says: “There will be a serious push from New Zealand to get people to the Commonwealth Games; whether I’m part of that, I’m not sure at this point,” although he is testing the waters.
Coastal rowing is far from the calm of a two-kilometre flatwater course on Lake Karapiro. In the beach sprint event, competitors start with a beach run before rowing out 500m to a buoy, then back again while dealing with waves and navigational challenges.
Brake is just one of many elite rowers taking part in the Coastal Rowing Beach Sprint National Championships at Nelson’s Tahunanui Beach, held for the third time in New Zealand.
Olympic Rowing Events
Between July 27th and August 3rd, the 14 rowing events will be taking place:
- Single Sculls (women’s/men’s)
- Coxless Pair (women’s/men’s)
- Double Sculls (women’s/men’s)
- Coxless Four (women’s/men’s)
- Quadruple Sculls (women’s/men’s)
- Eight (women’s/men’s)
- Lightweight Double Sculls (women’s/men’s)
FAQ
Q: What are the different types of rowing?
A: The 14 rowing events taking place at the Olympic Games include Single Sculls (women’s/men’s), Coxless Pair (women’s/men’s), Double Sculls (women’s/men’s), Coxless Four (women’s/men’s), Quadruple Sculls (women’s/men’s), Eight (women’s/men’s) and Lightweight Double Sculls (women’s/men’s).
Q: When will the rowing events take place in the Olympics?
A: The 14 rowing events will occur between July 27th and August 3rd.
Q: What is Coastal Rowing?
A: Coastal rowing is a beach-based discipline where competitors start with a beach run before rowing out 500m to a buoy, then back again while dealing with waves and navigational challenges. It was recently added to the 2026 Commonwealth Games programme for Victoria, Australia and is expected to be an Olympic event in 2028.
Q: How many athletes compete in each event?
A: Each event will feature one or two athletes. In total, there are 28 participants across all of the events.
Q: What is lightweight rowing?
A: Lightweight rowing is a category of competition in which the athletes must meet weight requirements. In these events, the rowers are typically limited to 155 and 130 pounds for men and women, respectively. The lightweight rowing events at the Olympics include Double Sculls (women’s and men’s) and Lightweight Double Sculls (women’s/men’s). We are pleased to announce that lightweight rowing is here to stay. This should be incredibly encouraging for everyone who loves lightweight rowing.
Q: What other rowing events occur outside of the Olympics?
A: Outside the Olympics, rowing events occur at many other international competitions, such as the World Rowing Championships and Pan American Games. Additionally, collegiate teams compete in head-to-head races on rivers and lakes yearly. Coastal rowing is becoming increasingly popular, with competitors worldwide participating in beach sprints and inshore rowing races.
Q: Is there a particular body weight for lightweight rowing?
A: Yes, for lightweight rowing, the maximum body weight of each athlete is 70 kg.
Q: What other rowing events are included in the World Rowing program?
A: In addition to the Olympic events, World Rowing also organises World Rowing Coastal Championships, World Rowing Indoor Championships, and other regional and national events.
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