Changing the distance of rowing at the LA 2028 Games to 1500m has been a controversial decision. It has forced us to consider the impact of modernisation of the sport, its history and what the future may look like.
Just over a year on from the announcement of what the 2028 Olympic Games will entail for the sport, the only significant change has been the removal of the lightweight double from the international circuit. While the decision to remove this event has been a large topic of discussion, lightweight rowing – on the surface at the least – seems to be thriving, particularly in the US collegiate system, championed by the amazing Harvard Lightweight VIII, defeating their heavyweight student counterparts in the Temple Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta this year.
Nonetheless, it has had an impact, with athletes not of the traditional rowing build seeing fewer pathways and having to compete with body types more suited to openweight rowing.
It seems unusual that this is the direction the sport is heading in, with one of the most exciting races in recent memory, the final of the Lightweight 4- in the 2012 London Games, occurring at the hands of these talented athletes. It begs the question, what is FISA looking for, and what are its plans for the future to make rowing more popular?
The clash of tradition and modernity is not only being seen in rowing. In recent years, we have seen the rise of LIV Golf to challenge the traditional PGA Tour, and the change in format of the World Surfing League to tailor viewer numbers to a grand finale showdown. Even in the past few weeks, the Tour de France changed the final stage to a more mountainous stage to achieve more exciting racing instead of the traditional parade of riders and sprint finish. All of these have been met with varying degrees of success, much like the history of changes within the sport of rowing.
In Australia, for instance, the introduction of coxed quad racing for schools in Australia saw a more defined pathway of development into the more complex eights racing in the later years of high school. This is a definite success story and an example of how modernisation can have a positive impact on the development of the sport.
Contrastingly, the stifling of technological developments in boats, such as the banning of the sliding rigger, has hindered the sport greatly. Worries around the accessibility of the sport or the disadvantage of athletes with outdated equipment can be put to bed by drawing comparison to a sport that encourages these modernisations. Cycling’s changing bike and helmet designs is an ongoing process with continual development of aerodynamics and materials. However, the determination of results still largely remains on the athletes, their preparation and performance. It is fascinating to observe the innovations of the Norwegian Iron Man and Triathlon Team, coached by sports scientist Olav Aleksander Bu, and how tweaking of race suits, bike position, and altitude training all collates into an interesting mosaic of improving sports performance.
While rowing is not too dissimilar with its advanced training methods such as the British Rowing Teams altitude camps and the sports science that goes on within every elite international team, there are avenues of development in equipment where rowing is being left behind.
The advancement of oar shape from the tulip to the cleaver was a monumental development. Walking through the Croker Oar Factory, the technological prowess and progression is exemplified in the machinery and craftsmanship. However, the largest difference in rowing shell design between the previous century and today is wood versus carbon fibre. Stifling advancements such as the sliding rigger have hindered this development.
The format of the sport is perhaps due for this modernity as well. Ridiculed as it may be, the 1500m change has opened the gateway to analysing what can assist the sport in its popularity and recognisability on the world stage. Changing events and opening the sport up for diversity, while keeping its traditions, is a fine balancing act but one that must be navigated for the sport to remain relevant and return to its peak of popularity.
