2012 London Olympics

Photo credit to nbcolympics.com

The 2012 Summer Olympics in London opened yesterday and will continue until August 12, 2012. Rowing has had a rich history as part of the Olympics and provides great exposure to the sport, particularly in communities like Nebraska where rowing is relatively unknown. For those who may not have much background in rowing or for those looking to follow all the action this Olympics, here is a brief overview followed by links to other articles and websites:

Olympic rowing races are 2000 meters long and rowers reach anywhere from 40 to 47 strokes per minute. There are two disciplines of rowing, sweeping and sculling. Sweeping requires the use of one oar per rower while sculling uses two oars per rower. Coxswains are used in the men's and women's eights to steer the shells and guide rowers through races.

The Olympics will feature 14 different rowing races:
Sweep
Men's pair without coxswain (M2-)*
Women's pair without coxswain (W2-)*
Men's lightweight four without coxswain (LM4-)*
Men's four without coxswain (M4-)*
Men's eight with coxswain (M8+)*
Women's eight with coxswain (W8+)*

Scull
Men's single sculls (M1x)*
Women's single sculls (W1x)*
Men's lightweight double sculls (LM2x)
Men's double sculls (M2x)
Women's double sculls (W2x)*
Lightweight women's double sculls (LW2x)*
Men's quadruple sculls (M4x)*
Women's quadruple sculls (W4x)*


*Races with US boats competing

Some interesting facts:

• The United States has the most overall Olympic medals in rowing with 84.
• The United States Women's Eight are the defending Gold Medal champions for the 2012 London Olympics. 
• Many consider retired British rower Sir Steven Redgrave the greatest British Olympian of all time for winning five consecutive gold medals in five Olympic games from 1984 to 2000. The feat of this accomplishment is even more impressive considering the fitness demands of rowing. At the 2012 Opening Ceremony, he received the torch from David Beckham and passed the flame to the seven young athletes, who ultimately lit the Olympic cauldron.

photo credit to abc.net.au




If you're looking for some more websites to follow this summer, NBC Olympics: Rowing provides a comprehensive overview, including a brief history, competition format and of course updated race results and viewing schedules. USRowing is also a great place to look for news and information on the United States Olympic Rowing team. 

And for your reading pleasure between races, here are some articles recounting some great moments in rowing history, 1936 US Men's Eight victory in Berlin and the 1976 Yale Women's Crew making a statement.

We also hope you'll like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay updated on our own rowing competitions in the coming seasons.

We wish all the US Rowing athletes the best of luck and look forward to watching them succeed in London!