Paralympic Games
Rowing was added to the Paralympic programme in 2005
The GB Rowing Team has won gold medals at every Paralympic Games since then: Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
The Paralympic Games take place once every four years and are an elite, multi-sport event for athletes with physical impairments including those with mobility issues, amputations, blindness, and Cerebral Palsy.
Paralympic rowing is open to male and female rowers, and for Paris 2024 includes five events (whose names have changed over the years), which are also part of the World Championship programme:
| Gender | Boat Class |
|---|---|
| Women | Arms and shoulders only single scull (PR1 W1x) |
| Men | Arms and shoulders only single scull (PR1 M1x) |
| Mixed | Trunk and arms mixed double scull (PR2 Mix2x) Legs, trunk and arms mixed coxed four (PR3 Mix2x) Legs, trunk and arms mixed coxed four (PR3 Mix4+) |
- Gender:
- Women
- Boat Class:
- Arms and shoulders only single scull (PR1 W1x)
- Gender:
- Men
- Boat Class:
- Arms and shoulders only single scull (PR1 M1x)
- Gender:
- Mixed
- Boat Class:
- Trunk and arms mixed double scull (PR2 Mix2x)
Legs, trunk and arms mixed coxed four (PR3 Mix2x)
Legs, trunk and arms mixed coxed four (PR3 Mix4+)
GB Rowing Team medals at Paralympic Games
| Paralympic regatta | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo 2020 | PR2 Mix 2x PR3 Mix 4+ |
2 | ||
| Rio 2016 | ASW1x TAmix2x LTAmix4+ |
ASM1x | 4 | |
| London 2012 | LTAmix4 | 1 | ||
| Beijing 2008 | ASW1x ASM1x |
LTAmix4+ | 3 |
- Paralympic regatta:
- Tokyo 2020
- Gold:
- PR2 Mix 2x
PR3 Mix 4+ - Silver:
- --
- Bronze:
- --
- Total:
- 2
- Paralympic regatta:
- Rio 2016
- Gold:
- ASW1x
TAmix2x
LTAmix4+ - Silver:
- --
- Bronze:
- ASM1x
- Total:
- 4
- Paralympic regatta:
- London 2012
- Gold:
- LTAmix4
- Silver:
- --
- Bronze:
- --
- Total:
- 1
- Paralympic regatta:
- Beijing 2008
- Gold:
- ASW1x
ASM1x - Silver:
- --
- Bronze:
- LTAmix4+
- Total:
- 3
As in all sports, performance at elite level takes dedication and talent to become the best.
Impairments that typically do well at the elite level in rowing are:
- Visual impairments (B2/B3).
- Lower limb amputations (above or below the knee as well as single or double).
- Incomplete spinal cord injury.
- Complete spinal cord injury (thoracic region).
Some characteristics that may increase chances of success are:
- Height, weight and arm span – big numbers!
- Previous endurance sports background (able bodied or disabled) such as rowing, cycling, swimming.
- Tradition of sport in the family.
- Desire, commitment and determination.