PRESS RELEASE: FISA declares Olympic rowing a success

Packed grandstands and enthusiastic cheering became the norm for each day of the regatta with crowds spread along most of the 2,000m course. The official Olympic customer satisfaction survey of all Olympic sites consistently rated Eton Dorney as the top venue peaking at a 97 per cent approval rating.

FISA President Denis Oswald hailed the regatta as the most successful Olympic regatta that he has attended. "Rowing is very popular in Great Britain and we knew that the interest would be strong, and it was," said Oswald. "The regatta went smoothly for athletes, organisers and supporters."

Racing in the 14 boat classes had many highlights including New Zealand's Hamish Bond and Eric Murray setting a World and Olympic Best Time in the men's pair before going on to win the Olympic gold.

The British men's four continued their Olympic winning streak that goes back to the 2000 Olympic Games when they beat Australia to the line. Great Britain also picked up three golds in the women's pair, double sculls and lightweight double sculls. This was the first Games that British women had won Olympic gold.

Denmark's Eskild Ebbesen capped off an illustrious rowing career by being the only rower to have won Olympic medals in the lightweight men's four every time since it came into the Olympic programme in 1996. Ebbesen's crew won bronze. Denmark also had success with gold in the lightweight men's double sculls and silver in the women's single sculls.

Both Ukraine and South Africa became Olympic Champions for the first time in rowing. South Africa won gold in the lightweight men's four while Ukraine won in the women's quadruple sculls.
Overall 18 countries won Olympic rowing medals at the London Olympics.

For Olympic features, results and photos go to www.worldrowing.com/olympic.