Rio officials accused of putting television before safety after chaotic opening day

OUTRAGED rowers have accused Rio Olympic organisers of putting television interests ahead of fair competition at a rowing course branded “wilder than a subbies Mad Monday.’’

Australia's Kim Brennan after her heat on Day 1 of the women's single scull

OUTRAGED rowers have accused Rio Olympic organisers of putting television interests ahead of fair competition at a rowing course branded “wilder than a subbies Mad Monday.’’

On one of the most dramatic days witnessed at an Olympic rowing event, Australia’s gold medal favourite Kim Brennan almost sunk due to extreme crosswinds which forced the world’s best rowers into a fight for survival on the water.

And the carnage – which included a boat from Serbia sinking – could get worse with the International Rowing Federation (FISA) refusing to abandon racing despite a concerning forecast of wild weather over the next three days.

The Serbian team are helped out of the water after capsizing their boat

“I was pretty close to sinking out there. That would normally be an indication that the course is not rowable,’’ Brennan, who finished a shock third in her single sculls heat, said.

“(We’ve) never raced us in these conditions before.

“It is a little bit unprecedented to race a race in cross whitecap conditions.

“We’ve definitely been preparing for rough conditions, but normally this would be deemed unrowable.

“Speaking to a lot of rowers in the boat park, there’s a lot of discontent.

“We’ve put 10-years plus into this and to have it decided on what becomes a little bit of a lottery and what waves hit your boat at a particular time, is a little bit disappointing.’’

Australia led a long-queue of nations who questioned World Rowing over the decision to continue racing on the choppy waters of the Lagoa rowing course, located in the heart of Rio.

The morning had begun in calm conditions, but after three heats the winds whipped up the waters, especially in the less-sheltered middle section, resulting in slow times.

Aussies star in the pool on Day 1

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Former Kiwi single scull champion Emma Twigg said pressure from TV networks on Games organisers to maintain their million-dollar commercial agreements by continuing to race, was a factor.

“Everyone is aware the scheduling and the broadcasting have their demands on the sport,’’ Twigg said.

“I know you have to be prepared to row in difficult conditions but in my opinion there is a bit of a difference between rowing in white caps and normal conditions.’’

Australia’s Alex Lloyd and Spencer Turin handled the conditions as well as anyone in the men’s pair, claiming that rowing in choppy conditions whipped up by ferries on Sydney Harbour helped them cope with the chop.

“It’s wilder than a subbies Mad Monday – once you get to the 500m mark the water turns pretty feral,’’ Lloyd said.

“It is certainly the worst conditions I have raced in.’’

Ireland’s Sanita Puspure said: “It was like sailing, surfing, everything all in one and a bit of rowing in the end.’’

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New Zealand Olympic champion Mahe Drysdale described the course as a “lottery.’’

Brennan shipped two boats to the games, but admitted her decision made in the warm-up to use her “calm water” boat ultimately backfired as she scrambled home into third and advance to the quarter-finals.

“To be honest I’m not fazed, I’m through to the next round and I know what improvements I need to make,’’ Brennan said.

Despite Brennan’s struggles it was a good day for Australia with six of the seven boats advancing and only the women’s quad four being sent the repechage.

The men’s quad four won their heat and are on track to claim an Olympic gold medal.

Originally published as Rio officials accused of putting television before safety after chaotic opening day