OLYMPIC GAMES

The Olympic programme has included men's rowing since 1896 but rough seas in the Piraeus harbor forced the events to be cancelled at the first Olympic Games. Women have been rowing in the Olympics since 1976 and lightweights since 1996. The Olympic rowing programme includes 14 events.

Boats, or shells, were traditionally made of wood, but are now mostly manufactured from synthetic materials such as carbon fibre and plastic. A small fin is fitted in the underside of the shell for stability and a rudder, for steering, is attached to the fin or the stern (except on sculling boats).

In 2012, the Olympic Rowing Regatta will be held at Eton Dorney, near London, Great Britain, from 28 July to 4 August.

In 2016, the Olympic Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 6 to 14 August.

Boats

Width: 59.7 cm – 62.2 cm / Length: 8.2 m (single) – 19.9 m (eight) / Weight: 14 kg – 96 kg