Withdrawal of Russian Men’s Quadruple Sculls from Tokyo Olympic Games

World Rowing has received the decision of the Russian Rowing Federation (RRF) to withdraw the Men’s Quadruple Sculls from the Olympic regatta. The RRF has written the following:

“The RRF Coaching Council has deeply analysed training results of two potential substitutes in the M4x crew and has concluded that their level of skills does not meet the Olympic Standards.

Considering these and other important factors, as inability to properly conduct the final stage of preparation by athletes of this crew for the OG, high psycho-emotional tension and pressure and, as a result, the inability to show a decent result at the upcoming very important Regatta, the Federation’s leadership decided with a heavy heart to withdraw the crew from the competition.”

The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that, on an exceptional basis at this late date, this place can now be attributed to the next placing M4x at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta, Lithuania, as specified in the Olympic Qualification System, page 6, section F:

“If the boat qualified through the FISA Final Qualification Regatta, the quota place will be allocated to the next highest placed boat in that event.“

World Rowing has contacted the Lithuanian Rowing Federation to offer this available slot to its M4x crew and awaits its decision.