Rio Olympics 2016: Australia’s women’s eight rowers could get shock call up for Brazil if Russian team kicked out

AUSTRALIA’S women’s eight could sensationally win selection at Rio’s rowing regatta despite Russia being allowed to compete at the Olympics.

Australian women’s eight rower Genevieve Horton.

AUSTRALIA’S women’s eight could sensationally win selection at Rio’s rowing regatta despite Russia being allowed to compete at the Olympics.

The women’s eight are the first alternate for Rio after finishing third at a Swiss regatta this year when they needed a top-two finish.

But with at least one member of the Russian eight having previous doping convictions, they might live to fight another day.

In May the Russian men’s quadruple sculls team was disqualified when Sergej Fedorovtsev tested positive to drugs.

On Monday the Australian crew – including six Melbourne athletes – was hastily being reassembled despite many not having rowed for weeks.

Some of those members were training for a marathon and others for a long-distance skiing event.

Now they have frantically turned their attention back to rowing training in case they are called up.

The world Rowing body FISA is expected to meet overnight to consider its position on Russia’s athletes but might take some days to decide.

Anastasia Karabelshchikova, a member of the Russian women’s eight in Rio, was banned for drug offences for two years in 2008.

Australian women’s eight rower Genevieve Horton.

Incriminating evidence had been found in a plastic bag in a rubbish bin outside the Russian hotel in the 2007 Rowing world cup final.

After seven rowers from the women’s eight were suspended, every coach, official and medico from the Russian Rowing Federation was banned for a year.

Australia’s men’s eight only rowed in the Beijing Olympics after the Russian eight was banned for doping offences from 2007 and booted from the event.

Rowing Australia said yesterday it was exploring all “logistical arrangements” needed for the chance Australia could row in Rio.

It is understood New Zealand has also reassembled some of its crews and could put in a petition calling for the ejection of some Russian boats.

“Rowing Australia has committed its full support and assistance to providing the Australian Women’s Eight with the opportunity to compete at the Rio Olympic Games should FISA or the IOC suspend Russian athletes within a time frame that permits the necessary arrangements to be made,’’ a spokesman said.

Australian women’s eight rower Olympia Aldersey.

“To that end we have had preliminary discussions with the Australian Olympic Committee and begun exploring the many logistical arrangements that would be required in the slight chance of the Australian Women’s Eight being granted a qualification place.

“We are in contact with all members of the crew and will continue to keep them updated in this rapidly evolving situation.

“It is important to note that the ultimate decision regarding any possible suspension of Russian rowing athletes rests with FISA, and the ultimate decision regarding any possible suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee rests with the IOC.

“With the complex legal steps required by both international bodies to reach these decisions it is unknown at this point whether this will occur prior to the Olympic Games.”

The women’s eight squad for the most recent Swiss meet was Fiona Albert, Georgina Gotch, Charlotte Sutherland, Alexandra Hagan, Jessica Morrison, Olympia Aldersey, Genevieve Horton, Lucy Stephan, Molly Goodman, Meaghan Volker, Katrina Bateman and cox Sarah Banting.

Originally published as Rio Olympics 2016: Australia’s women’s eight rowers could get shock call up for Brazil if Russian team kicked out