Success in Olympic rowing relies entirely on the athlete’s physical capability and technical proficiency. The key to victory lies in perfecting the stroke cycle –a series of movements resulting in boat speed.
The stroke cycle
Entry
From a crouched starting position, the body weight is transferred to the legs, which push against the foot stretcher to begin transferring force to the oars.
Drive
Release
Legs are extended as the seat slides all the way backward. Arms and shoulders pull the oars back toward the chest, and the torso leans back toward the bow.
Recovery
With the blade out of the water, the hands stretch forward beyond knees. The body follows, and the seat slides forward to the original starting position.
The course
The course runs in a straight line and is divided into lanes. Races also take place on rivers.
Starting docks: (6)
Lanes: (8) Each 44.3 feet wide
Water depth: Minimum of 9.8 feet
Umpire follows race in a boa
Start to finish: 6,562 feet
Reaching the final competition
– Crews first compete in preliminary rounds
– Followed by repeat rounds
– Semifinals
– Two final rounds. The A finals determine the first six places, and the B finals determine places 7-12.
Rowing events
Rowing events are divided into two groups based on the style:
Sculling
Two oars, one in each hand
Single: One rower
Double: Two rowers
Quadruple:Four rowers
Lightweight double: Two rowers, each weighing no more than 160 pounds (men) and 130 pounds (women)
Sweep
One oar in both hands
Pair: Two rowers
Four: Four rowers
Lightweight four: Four lightweight rowers (men only)
Eight with coxswain: Eight rowers plus the coxswain, who sits in the back of the boat and yells commands to help the rowers keep pace.
Athletes to watch
Vaclav Chalupa
Czech Republic
Four-time single sculls World Cup silver medalist and 1992 Olympic silver medalist.
Olaf Tufte
Norway
Two-time single sculls world champion and 2000 Olympic sweep pairs silver medalist.
Marcel Hacker
Germany
Former single sculls world champion and bronze medalist in Sydney.
2000 results
Men’s single sculls
(G) Rob Waddell, New Zealand
(S) Xeno Muller, Switzerland
(B) Marcel Hacker, Germany
All-time medal standings
Competition began in 1900
Germany 81
United States 64
Britain 43
USSR/Russia 33
Italy 31
Sources: International Rowing Federation, US Rowing, Athens 2004 Olympic Organizing Committee, news reports, NBC
– See microfilm for complete graphic.
