This is your weekly Rowing Briefing, covering the key developments of the last seven days on the rowing circuit, both in the UK and beyond. To receive an audio briefing with these stories and more at the start of each week, sign up to Updates. If you have a story to share, contact our news desk – juniorrowingnews@gmail.com.
Domestic Rowing:
“All those parts that people don’t see, the hard work behind the scenes, I feel hugely proud of having come through it.”
Alan Sinclair
While the half-term break provides juniors with a well-earned break, the rowing world continues to turn, providing a myriad of stories and perspectives to those within its borders.
So-called ‘Long-Covid’ has made repeated appearances in headlines in recent weeks as clinicians continue to develop their understanding of Covid-19, and its causative agent, SARS-CoV-2. Oonagh Cousins and Ella Barnard, who met whilst rowing at the University of Cambridge have spoken out about their experiences of post-viral fatigue, and the impact it has on their lives – both personal and professional.
Speaking to British Rowing, Oonagh told reporters that, “On the worst days you struggle to walk or complete daily tasks such as cooking a meal or composing an email. As time goes on you are more able to complete small activities such as seeing friends and short jogs.”
The incidence rate of post-viral fatigue in the case of Coronavirus infection in the general population versus within high-performance circles is currently unknown. It is likely, however, that such cases will only contribute to the ongoing debate as to the effect of high-intensity training on immune function, and the controversial ‘j-curve’ hypothesis that describes the relationship between exercise intensity and infection risk.
Elsewhere, GB Team rower Steward Innes has announced his retirement from the sport ahead of the postpones Tokyo Games. His decision is the latest in a string of announcements that has seen the British Team suffer loses ahead of the games; most notably the departure of former Chief Coach Jürgen Gröbler from Caversham.
British Rowing has defended their practices surrounding weight-control after a BBC Panorama documentary suggested that the national team has created an environment which is a ‘breeding ground’ for eating disorders.
British Rowing has said that, to the best of the coaches’ knowledge, the current 80+ strong national squad have not reported any eating disorders, and that medics and nutritionists are available to support their athletes.
International Rowing:
“The new programme proposes to include three coastal rowing events – mixed double sculls, men’s and women’s single (solo) – to replace the two lightweight double sculls events currently on the rowing programme.”
World Rowing
As conventional international racing begins its Christmas hiatus, Coastal Rowing has dominated the conversation at all levels of international policy-making and competition.
World Rowing has approved all changes submitted to the 2020 Extraordinary Congress. A variety of changes have been made to bye-laws and event regulations, with two key outcomes.
Firstly, after 25 years of use, “World Rowing” will now replace “FISA” as the unique name of the rowing federation. The objective is for all operations, communications, management and governance to be brought under one strong brand name: World Rowing.
Secondly, if approved by the IOC, Tokyo will be the last games to host lightweight rowing events. The congress has approved a revised programme for the Paris Olympics in 2024 that will see the men’s and women’s lightweight double-sculls replaced by mixed double sculls, and men’s and women’s single coastal events. This would be the first time that coastal rowing is included as an Olympic sport, with three events on the programme.
Coastal rowing is making headlines elsewhere, with the European Coastal Championships taking place this weekend. Over 140 athletes from 11 European nations competed in the event which took place in Livorno, Italy over three days.
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