Following the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics just under a year ago, selection for the Games hit pause along with most other sports, but has started ramping back with the completion of Olympic Trials I last week in Sarasota, FL.
On the domestic front, there are two more trials scheduled and lots of hard strokes and seat races to be contested. Internationally, there are four qualification events left, with three continental qualifiers and the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta (FOQR).
With a lot to be decided before crews line up on the Sea Forest Waterway in Japan for the Games of the 32nd Olympiad, here's where we stand on qualification heading into the spring.
USA OLYMPIC TRIALS
-Olympic Trials II, April 12-16 in West Windsor, NJ for W2x, M2-, and M4x
-Olympic Trials III, June 4-6 in West Windsor, NJ for W2- if necessary
CONTINENTAL QUALIFICATION REGATTAS
-Americas Continental Qualification Regatta, March 4-6 in Rio de Janeiro, BRA
-European Qualification Regatta, April 5-7 in Varese, ITA
-Asian/Oceania Continental Qualification Regatta, May 5-7 in Tokyo, JAP
FINAL OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION REGATTA
-Final Olympic Qualification Regatta, May 16-18 in Lucerne, SUI
OLYMPIC GAMES REGATTA
-Olympic Games Regatta, July 23-30 in Tokyo, JAP
If you need a reminder on how many training days are left until Tokyo, here's the countdown clock to the Opening Ceremonies.
NOTES
-The continental qualifiers are only for the W1x, M1x, LW2x, and LM2x events
-Any national federation that qualified two or more crews at the Linz World Championships is not eligible to compete at their respective continental qualifier and can only qualify additional crews at FOQR
-See chart at bottom for qualified crews
-There are limits to the numbers of crews a national federation can qualify via continental qualifier; details can be found on the bottom of page four here
-All 14 Olympic events will be contested at the FOQR, with the top two finishers in each event qualifying for Tokyo
-Should Japan not qualify any male or female crews following the qualifying regattas, they will be allotted a 'host country' entry into the M1x and/or W1x for Tokyo. If they do qualify, then that spot will be awarded to the next highest finishing country at the Asia/Oceania qualifier in each event that has yet to qualify a crew
-The four tripartite invites (2 in W1x, 2 in M1x) are FISA discretionary slots selected following all the qualification regattas
WOMEN'S SINGLE
QUALIFIED CREWS – 14
SPOTS REMAINING – 18 (13 Continental, 2 FOQR, 1 Host Country, 2 Tripartite)
WHO IS IN FROM WORLDS – IRL, NZL, USA, GBR, SUI, CAN, CHN, NED, AUT
WHO IS IN FROM AFRICA - NAM, MAR, UGA, TOG, NGR
USA STATUS – Kara Kohler of Princeton Training Center won Olympic Trials on February 26 and will represent the United States in the W1x at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
USA W1x Kara Kohler
WHAT IS NEXT
AMERICAS QUALIFIER – Five spots available in Rio, the top finishing scullers from Linz that are eligible are: TTO, PUR, MEX, and PAR
EUROPEAN QUALIFIER – Three spots available in Varese, the top finishing scullers from Linz that are eligible are: UKR, SWE, GRE, BUL, and FIN
ASIA/OCEANIA QUALIFIER - Five spots available in Tokyo, the top finishing scullers from Linz that are eligible are: TPE, KAZ, VIE, QAT, and KOR
FOQR - Two spots available in Lucerne, the top finishing scullers from Linz that are eligible are: DEN, CZE, GER, FRA, NOR, and LTU
MEN'S SINGLE
QUALIFIED CREWS – 14
SPOTS REMAINING – 18 (13 Continental, 2 FOQR, 1 Host Country, 2 Tripartite)
WHO IS IN FROM WORLDS – GER, DEN, NOR, LTU, NED, CZE, NZL, CRO, ITA
WHO IS IN FROM AFRICA - EGY, ZIM, BEN, CIV, LBA
USA STATUS – John Graves of Green Racing Project won Olympic Trials on February 26 and will represent the United States in the M1x at the FOQR in May. A top two placing at that regatta will qualify Graves and the USA for the Olympic Games Regatta.
WHAT IS NEXT
AMERICAS QUALIFIER – Five spots available in Rio, the top finishing scullers from Linz that are eligible are: MEX, CUB, PUR, PAR, and BER
EUROPEAN QUALIFIER – Three spots available in Varese, the top finishing scullers from Linz that are eligible are: GRE, AZE, BUL, ISR, and SRB
ASIA/OCEANIA QUALIFIER - Five spots available in Tokyo, the top finishing scullers from Linz that are eligible are: KAZ, UZB, KOR, THA, and IND
FOQR - Two spots available in Lucerne, the top finishing scullers from Linz that are eligible are: POL, GBR, FRA, SUI, USA, and ROU
Eisser/O'Brien
WOMEN'S PAIR
QUALIFIED CREWS – 11
SPOTS REMAINING – 2 at FOQR
WHO IS IN FROM WORLDS – NZL, AUS, CAN, USA, ESP, ITA, ROU, IRL, CHN, GBR, GRE
USA STATUS – Following the cancellation of the 2021 National Selection Regatta, the women's pair of Tracy Eisser and Kristine O'Brien that won the 2020 National Selection Regatta are eligible to race at World Cup I or World Cup II. With a top two finish at either event, Eisser/O'Brien would have the option of declaring as the USA W2- for the Tokyo Olympic Games. If no crew is selected after World Cup II, then the event will be contested at Olympic Trials III, June 4-6 at Mercer Lake, NJ. The winner will then be named the USA W2- for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
WHAT IS NEXT – The two remaining Olympic spots for the women's pair will be decided at the FOQR. The top finishing crews from Linz that didn't qualify are: CHI, UKR, POL, GER, RSA, DEN, CZE, and NED.
MEN'S PAIR
QUALIFIED CREWS – 11
SPOTS REMAINING – 2 at FOQR
WHO IS IN FROM WORLDS – CRO, NZL, AUS, ITA, ESP, FRA, SRB, CAN, RSA, ROU, BLR
USA STATUS – As a non-qualified event for Tokyo, the men's pair will be decided at Olympic Trials II April 12-16 at Mercer Lake, NJ. The winner of Trials will then need to place in the top two at the FOQR in May.
WHAT IS NEXT – The two remaining Olympic spots for the men's pair will be decided at the FOQR. The top finishing crews from Linz that didn't qualify are: GBR, USA, POL, DEN, ARG, GER, NED, and CHN.
WOMEN'S DOUBLE
QUALIFIED CREWS – 11
SPOTS REMAINING – 2 at FOQR
WHO IS IN FROM WORLDS – NZL, ROU, NED, CAN, USA, FRA, ITA, CZE, LTU, CHN, AUS
USA STATUS – As a qualified event for Tokyo, the women's double will be decided at Olympic Trials II April 12-16 at Mercer Lake, NJ. The winner of Trials will represent the United States at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
WHAT IS NEXT – The two remaining Olympic spots for the women's double will be decided at the FOQR. The top finishing crews from Linz that didn't qualify are: BLR, POL, GBR, GER, UKR, SRB, GRE, and SUI.
MEN'S DOUBLE
QUALIFIED CREWS – 11
SPOTS REMAINING – 2 at FOQR
WHO IS IN FROM WORLDS – CHN, IRL, POL, GBR, SUI, ROU, NED, NZL, FRA, GER, LTU
USA STATUS – Kevin Cardno and Jonathan Kirkegaard of Vesper/OKC won Olympic Trials on February 26 and will represent the United States in the M2x at the FOQR in May. A top two placing at that regatta will qualify Cardno/Kirkegaard and the USA for the Olympic Games Regatta.
WHAT IS NEXT – The two remaining Olympic spots for the men's double will be decided at the FOQR. The top finishing crews from Linz that didn't qualify are: AUS, ARG, CAN, BLR, UKR, ITA, RSA, SLO, and USA.
LIGHTWEIGHT WOMEN'S DOUBLE
QUALIFIED CREWS – 8
SPOTS REMAINING – 10 (8 Continental, 2 FOQR)
WHO IS IN FROM WORLDS – NZL, NED, GBR, ROU, FRA, BLR, ITA
WHO IS IN FROM AFRICA - TUN
USA STATUS – Michelle Sechser and Molly Reckford of Sarasota won Olympic Trials on February 26 and will represent the United States in the LW2x at the FOQR in May. A top two placing at that regatta will qualify Sechser/Reckford and the USA for the Olympic Games Regatta.
USA LW2x Sechser/Reckford
WHAT IS NEXT
AMERICAS QUALIFIER – Three spots available in Rio, the top finishing crew from Linz that is eligible is: GUA
EUROPEAN QUALIFIER – Two spots available in Varese, the top finishing crews from Linz that are eligible are: AUT and LAT
ASIA/OCEANIA QUALIFIER - Three spots available in Tokyo, the top finishing crews from Linz that are eligible are: JPN, KOR, THA, and PHI
FOQR - Two spots available in Lucerne, the top finishing crews from Linz that are eligible are: CAN, AUS, USA, SUI, CHN, POL, GER, IRL, and ESP
LIGHTWEIGHT MEN'S DOUBLE
QUALIFIED CREWS – 8
SPOTS REMAINING – 10 (8 Continental, 2 FOQR)
WHO IS IN FROM WORLDS – IRL, ITA, GER, NOR, ESP, POL, BEL
WHO IS IN FROM AFRICA - ALG
USA STATUS – Zachary Heese and Jasper Liu of Vesper won Olympic Trials on February 26 and will represent the United States in the LM2x at the FOQR in May. A top two placing at that regatta will qualify Heese/Liu and the USA for the Olympic Games Regatta.
WHAT IS NEXT
AMERICAS QUALIFIER – Three spots available in Rio, the top finishing crews from Linz that are eligible are: NONE
EUROPEAN QUALIFIER – Two spots available in Varese, the top finishing crews from Linz that are eligible are: AUT, POR, UKR, TUR, GRE, and SLO
ASIA/OCEANIA QUALIFIER - Three spots available in Tokyo, the top finishing crews from Linz that are eligible are: JPN, HKG, IND, UZB, and KAZ
FOQR - Two spots available in Lucerne, the top finishing crews from Linz that are eligible are: AUS, CAN, CZE, NZL, CHN, USA, FRA, DEN, GBR, and SUI
WOMEN'S FOUR
QUALIFIED CREWS – 8
SPOTS REMAINING – 2 at FOQR
WHO IS IN FROM WORLDS – AUS, NED, DEN, POL, ROU, USA, GBR, CAN
USA STATUS – The women's four selection camp will take place in Princeton, NJ from April 1 to June 3. National Team Head Coaches will then nominate a crew, and if approved, that crew will represent the United States as the W4- at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
WHAT IS NEXT – The two remaining Olympic spots for the women's four will be decided at the FOQR. The top finishing crews from Linz that didn't qualify are: CHN, IRL, NZL, ITA, and RUS.
2019 USA M4-
MEN'S FOUR
QUALIFIED CREWS – 8
SPOTS REMAINING – 2 at FOQR
WHO IS IN FROM WORLDS – POL, ROU, GBR, ITA, USA, AUS, NED, SUI
USA STATUS – The men's four selection camp will take place in Oakland, CA from March 8 to June 3. National Team Head Coaches will then nominate a crew and if approved, that crew will represent the United States as the M4- at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
WHAT IS NEXT – The two remaining Olympic spots for the men's four will be decided at the FOQR. The top finishing crews from Linz that didn't qualify are: FRA, GER, SRB, RSA, and NZL.
WOMEN'S QUAD
QUALIFIED CREWS – 8
SPOTS REMAINING – 2 at FOQR
WHO IS IN FROM WORLDS – CHN, POL, NED, GER, NZL, GBR, USA, ITA
USA STATUS – The women's quad selection camp will take place in Princeton, NJ from April 19 (following the conclusion of Olympic Trials II) to June 3. National Team Head Coaches will then nominate a crew and if approved, that crew will represent the United States as the W4x at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
WHAT IS NEXT – The two remaining Olympic spots for the women's quad will be decided at the FOQR. The top finishing crews from Linz that didn't qualify are: RUS, AUS, ROU, and FRA.
MEN'S QUAD
QUALIFIED CREWS – 8
SPOTS REMAINING – 2 at FOQR
WHO IS IN FROM WORLDS – NED, POL, ITA, AUS, GER, CHN, NOR, GBR
USA STATUS – As a non-qualified event for Tokyo, the men's quad will be decided at Olympic Trials II April 12-16 at Mercer Lake, NJ. The winner of Trials will then need to place in the top two at the FOQR in May.
WHAT IS NEXT – The two remaining Olympic spots for the men's quad will be decided at the FOQR. The top finishing crews from Linz that didn't qualify are: NZL, UKR, RUS, EST, and USA.
WOMEN'S EIGHT
QUALIFIED CREWS – 5
SPOTS REMAINING – 2 at FOQR
WHO IS IN FROM WORLDS – NZL, AUS, USA, CAN, GBR
USA STATUS – The women's eight selection camp will take place in Princeton, NJ from April 1 to June 3. National Team Head Coaches will then nominate a crew and if approved, that crew will represent the United States as the W8+ at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
WHAT IS NEXT – The two remaining Olympic spots for the women's eight will be decided at the FOQR. The top finishing crews from Linz that didn't qualify are: ROU, CHN, RUS, NED, and GER.
MEN'S EIGHT
QUALIFIED CREWS – 5
SPOTS REMAINING – 2 at FOQR
WHO IS IN FROM WORLDS – GER, NED, GBR, AUS, USA
USA STATUS – The men's eight selection camp will take place in Oakland, CA from March 8 to June 3. National Team Head Coaches will then nominate a crew and if approved, that crew will represent the United States as the M8+ at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
WHAT IS NEXT – The two remaining Olympic spots for the men's eight will be decided at the FOQR. The top finishing crews from Linz that didn't qualify are: NZL, ROU, CAN, ITA, and RUS.
QUALIFIED CREWS BY COUNTRY