Rowing qualification system announced for Singapore 2010

Qualification system for the first ever Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to be held in Singapore in 2010 have been confirmed by the IOC. A quota system means that athletes will have to qualify for the Games through a qualification process that begins this year. Hit Read More for full article.

The four rowing events for these Games will be: the junior men’s single, junior women’s single, junior men’s pair and junior women’s pair. The rowing quota allows a total of 96 competitors falling into a two year age category: the rowers must be 17 or 18 years old at the time of the Games (birthdays from 1.1.92 – 31.12.93).

Nations will be limited to one male and one female crew and can qualify in one of two ways: by obtaining the necessary ranking at the 2009 World Rowing Junior Championships, or by allocation of a universality place. Universality places may be offered to eligible nations that do not qualify via performance and that have submitted applications for a universality place allocation. 68 rowers will qualify via the ‘performance’ route, while 26 will be allocated universality places. A further 2 places are available for the host country.

This year’s World Rowing Junior Championships will offer the sole qualification opportunity for the Youth Olympic Games. At this regatta boats with the following ranking will qualify one boat spot for their country:

* 12 nations will qualify for each of the men’s and women’s single: the top six places in the single, top three places in the double and top three places in the quad.
* 11 nations will qualify for each of the men’s and women’s pair: the top five places in the pair, top three places in the four and top three places in the eight.


If more than one boat per nation meets the performance qualification criteria, the qualification place will be attributed to the boat with the higher ranking. If two or more boats from a country meet the qualification criteria and achieve the same ranking, then the NOC of that country will decide which qualification place to accept.These rankings will qualify the nation, not the individual athlete, for a spot at the YOG.

FISA’s delegate Mike Tanner says the final allocation will be confirmed following consultation between the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FISA and the relevant National Olympic Committees. This final allocation will consider universality (adding another 26 athletes to the total), host country representation (allowing two single entries to the host nation), performance and gender equity to decide the final mix. The quota places and names will be confirmed by July 2010.

“We need to get the word out to all nations about qualification (at the junior championships),” says Tanner who is expecting some additional countries to compete at this year’s World Rowing Junior Championships.

The World Rowing Junior Championships are to be held in Brive-la-Gaillarde, France from 5 – 8 August 2009.

Established by the International Olympic Committee, the Youth Olympic Games are described by IOC president, Jacques Rogge, as a way to inspire young people to take up sport and as a “platform to create a true community between the youth of the world.” The 26 chosen sports have been selected to “protect the health of the young athletes.” Rowing will be an integral part of these Games and the 1000m course has been established close to the city for accessibility and profile.

Article from worldrowing.com