Rowers from the Americas meet in Rio to go for Tokyo 2020 Olympic & Paralympic qualification

More than 60 athletes from 21 national federations have descended on Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the first Olympic qualification event since the Covid-19 outbreak – the World Rowing Americas Olympic & Paralympic Qualification Regatta.

The event has been complicated to organise during the coronavirus pandemic, but organisers have confirmed that with the successful arrival of international athletes, they are ready for racing.

“The event organisation is progressing properly, despite all the restrictions that have been in place in recent months. There is certainly a much greater challenge in organizing an event as important as this, looking for the best solutions so that all participants, umpires, staff and volunteers are in conditions of protection in this pandemic situation. We understand that all countries are making a huge effort to maintain training and participate in this event, adapting to the Covid-19 Protection Plan that is being applied to all participants and all staff members,” says Marcello Varriale, event organiser and World Rowing Commission member.

This staging of the Americas Qualification regatta was confirmed just two months ago in January. It follows the successful staging of two European events in the autumn of 2020. The event is employing the Covid-19 Protection Plan that has been put into place for all World Rowing events.

The event sees some familiar names looking to qualify in the singles sculls, lightweight double sculls and the para rowing PR1 single sculls.

Mexico’s Kenia Lechuga Alanis secured her spot to the 2016 Olympic Games through this pathway and hopes to do so again at this regatta. Lechuga finished 12^th at Rio after an impressive race in wavy conditions in her heat. Lechuga will go up against other Olympic veterans, including Felice Chow of Trinidad and Tobago.

The men’s single sculls sees the return of Mexico’s Juan Carlos Cabrera who will be looking to qualify for yet another Olympic Games, but he will face tough competition against Lucas Ferreira of Brazil who has been successful in the under-23 category.

“The rowers have been training in good conditions over the last few days. There were some challenges with the international flights, but all athletes are now in place and preparing for their first races. The teams are divided into small groups to carry out the whole daily routine, including transport, training and meals within the protection bubble that includes the venue and the hotel. The next challenges will be to maintain the good organisation of the groups during the competition period, maintaining equal and safe conditions for all,” says Varriale.

The qualification pathway indicates that five single sculls for men and women will make their way out of this event. There are three qualification places available for the lightweight doubles sculls and two places for the para PR1 single sculls. Any remaining athletes wishing to qualify will need to go through the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland in May. Click here for the full qualification system: Olympic Games, Paralympic Games.

Racing gets underway at 9:00 in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday 4 March, 2021. Follow along on www.worldrowing.com.