World Beach Sprint Finals in Rio Canceled
The 2025 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals in Rio De Janeiro have been canceled and will be held at another location at a future date.
The Brazilian Rowing Federation backed out of its commitment to host the October regatta, and World Rowing was unable to find a viable local alternative.
The cancellation is the latest development in a continuing struggle to establish the new Olympic discipline. Last year’s Beach Sprint Finals in Genoa, Italy, changed locations at the last minute when the original Italian site couldn’t be used. The event was held instead on a crowded, rocky beach that drew complaints from attendees.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games, including Beach Sprint rowing events, originally hosted by the Australian state of Victoria, have been moved to Glasgow, Scotland, and Beach Sprints have been cut.
The 2023 World Beach Games, including Beach Sprint rowing, were canceled when the Indonesian government withdrew support.
“This outcome is disappointing for the international rowing community,” World Rowing stated in a press release, “especially for athletes, coaches, and fans who were preparing for a pivotal competition on the pathway to the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.”
Beach Sprints, the newest form of coastal rowing in World Rowing’s scheme to increase the popularity of rowing, will account for 20 percent of Olympic rowing medals at the LA 2028 Games.
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