Olympic and Paralympic qualification systems confirmed for Rio

The changes made from the London 2012 Olympic qualification system reflect FISA's attention to the major principles of the Olympic Games – excellence, universality and gender equity. The resulting qualification system is a reflection of these principles and sees the female participation rate increase as well as opportunities for increased universality.    

The number and type of boat classes and total number of quota places remain the same, as directed by the IOC. The modifications are the number of boats allocated in each of the 14 Olympic boat classes. The number of boats for women has been increased in the women's single sculls, pair, double sculls and lightweight double sculls. To accommodate these increases, the number of boats for men has been reduced in the men's single sculls, quadruple sculls and eight.

In addition, and in line with the IOC and FISA’s principle of universality, Oceania has been added to the Asian Continental Olympic Qualification Regatta. Oceania includes the island nations of the southern Pacific but excludes Australia and New Zealand. At this qualification regatta, the number of boats qualifying in the men's single sculls will increase by one and the number of boats qualifying in the women's single sculls will increase by two.  

There will also be a European Continental Olympic Qualification Regatta and this regatta includes the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand in addition to European nations. This regatta will be held in conjunction with the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta which is open to all nations.

FISA president Denis Oswald says that the changes in the Olympic qualification system move rowing closer to the goal of equality for men and women as well as achieve greater participation at the Olympic regatta for more National Olympic Committees around the world.

“It is very important for our sport to grasp the Olympic ideals of greater universality and equal opportunity. With our new qualification system, we are moving in the right direction.”  

Qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games begins next year at the 2015 World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette (FRA). For the Olympics, this will be followed by FISA Continental Olympic Qualification regattas and Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne (SUI) in May 2016. For the Paralympics, the Final Paralympic Qualification Regatta will be announced shortly.

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