Rowing: An Olympic Sport

Contrary to popular belief, the sport of rowing is a widespread sport all over the world. Rowing has been part of the Summer Olympics since 1900. Originally, men were the only ones allowed to compete, but in 1976 Montreal held women's events. The fourteen events held at the Summer Olympics every year are for men and women: double sculls, single sculls, eight, coxless four, coxless pairs, and quad sculls. For lightweight men, coxless four and double sculling is offered. For lightweight women only double sculling is offered.

Prior to the early 1900's, all of the olympic races were under 2000 meters until in the Henley Royal Regatta in London that the distance was increased. Women originally rowed around 1000 meters, but again the distance was upped in 1988 to 2000 meters. These races are sprint races, not head races, which allows six boats to row side by side all starting at the same time.

In order to determine which crews are allowed to row in the Olympics, the International Rowing Federation hosts events for qualification. During “Continental Qualification Regattas” crews compete at 4 different regattas in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and an Open Final a year preceding the Olympics they plan to row in. FISA (the French International Rowing Federation) decides how many crews are qualified for the games at each regatta.

Women's Eight With Gold

The current top 5 medalist teams are East Germany, United States, Great Britain, Germany, and Romania. The most Gold medals ever won by a team is 33, putting East Germany in the lead. The United States has one the most total Olympic Medals overall with 84, but only second in Gold medals with 31, following East Germany.