The world will turn its eyes to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from August 5 to 21, 2016 as they host the Games of the XXXI Olympiad. More than 10,500 athletes from 206 countries – including Kosovo and South Sudan for the first time – are expected to compete for 306 sets of medals in 28 sports.
Rowing has been part of the Summer Olympics since its introduction in 1900. It had been scheduled to be part of the 1896 Games but was cancelled due to bad weather. There were no women’s events until 1976 in Montreal which became a catalyst for significant growth in women’s rowing worldwide. There are currently 14 events competed in rowing and they are all held over a 2000m course.
Rowing has been one of Canada’s most successful events at the Summer Olympics with a total of 40 medals won. Marnie McBean and Katherine Heddle won gold at both Barcelona (1992) and Atlanta (1996) and we have been traditionally strong in both the men’s and women’s coxed eights events.