Rowing

Rowing

Rowing made its Paralympic debut at Beijing 2008. Athletes race over 1,000m on flat water in boats that vary in length and crew size.

Rio 2016 featured four medal events: LTAMix4+ (LTA mixed coxed four), TAMix2x (TA mixed double sculls), ASW1x (AS women's single sculls) and ASM1x (AS men's single sculls).

ASW1x/ASM1x – athletes predominantly use the arms and/or shoulders for rowing

TAMix2x – athletes use trunk and arms for rowing

LTAMix4+ - athletes use their legs, trunk and arms for rowing

The 1,000m course is raced head-to-head with the winner progressing to the next round. Depending on the competition and number of entries, boats ranked second and third in the initial head-to-head heats may progress to repechages and then finals. The exact format for the progression of boats from head-to-head heats is decided at each competition based on entries.

The sport is governed by the International Rowing Federation (FISA).

Watch Paralympic Sports A-Z: Rowing video.