Spotlight Sport

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Rowing
The style and rhythm of the rower's strokes are a series of clearly distinguishable actions that reflect a pattern of continuous movement and fluid motion. This entire sequence of rhythmical, balanced movements is repeated 32 to 40 times per minute depending on conditions, strategy, and length of the race.


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Categories
Boats compete in two basic categories: sculling and sweep rowing. Both men's and women's races are rowed on a 2,000-meter course no matter what the event.

In sweep rowing, two, four, or eight crewmembers sit facing the stern of the boat, each rower pulling one oar. In some of the pairs and fours events, the vessel is steered by a non-rowing "coxswain" (pronounced cox-n) who sits in the stern of the boat, facing the crew. The job of the coxswain is to steer the boat, decide tactics, and establish and maintain the speed and rhythm of the strokes of the rowers.

The other form of rowing, in which no coxswain is used, is called "sculling," or "scull racing." It is performed singly, by a pair, or by four rowers. Each rower, or "sculler," faces the stern and pulls a pair or oars.

Competition
Olympic racing employs a double-elimination system, whereby each rower or crew gets at least two chances to compete. Competitors go through a series of elimination heats until only six crews or boats remain for the finals.

News, History, and Fast Facts

Visit CBS Sportline's Olympics 2000 for rowing news. Or read about how rowing developed from a mode of transportation into speedy sport.
NBCOlympics.com's All About Rowing page clues you in on rowing techniques, rules, and terms, from bowball to coxswain.
The USOC site is a one-stop source for Olympic rowing history, a rowing rulebook, and a convenient glossary. Then, ride the waves without getting wet by watching a mini-movie.
The official Web site of this year's Games, the Sydney 2000 serves up news reports, an overview of the rules, explanations of rowing terminology, and a special area just for kids.
Check out the international rowing scene on the International Rowing Federation's (FISA) Web site.
Get news and notes on the national level at U.S. Rowing.

All About Athletes

If you want to know more about the men's and women's teams from the United States, surf U.S. Rowing.
Get a list of all of the past rowing winners.

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General Sports Links
Olympians will compete in dozens of sports this summer. Even though Gateway to the Summer Games can't feature them all, you can learn about each and every one by visiting the sites listed below.

Griffin Publishing Group's Official Olympic Sports page
For information straight from the source, click on a sport to connect to its organization's official Web site.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation News
This site provides excellent information about Olympic sports and their rules. It also sizes up the best international competitors.
CBS Sportsline's Olympics 2000
Get top news stories and in-depth features about every sport.
CCN/SI
In addition to news on every sport, this site contains athlete diaries.
NBCOlympics.com
Select a sport to study or hear firsthand from an athlete who plays it.
Sydney 2000
The official site of the Sydney Olympics covers the events in detail.
Sydney 2000 Kids' Guide to Olympic Sports
Visit the Sportzone for sports-related information written especially for young students.
USOC
The United States Olympic Committee site includes the rules and history of events as well as athlete bios, diaries, and chats.
Sydney 2000 Fans
This unofficial site provides basic description of events and useful links to more information.

Portions of the above text were excerpted from Share the Olympic Dream--Volume II.
(c) 1995 by Griffin Publishing Group/United States Olympic Committee.

For information on purchasing Griffin materials, please visit the Griffin Publishing Group Web site at http://www.griffinpublishing.com.