No eight for Australia at Rio Olympics, 1st time in 68 years
Posted May 25, 2016 7:00 am
SYDNEY (AP) - Australia won't have a men's eight crew in Olympic rowing for the first time in 68 years after failing to qualify for Rio de Janeiro at the final regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland.
Australia's men's eight, which needed a top-two finish at the weekend regatta but finished a distant fourth, has made the start line at each Olympics dating back to London in 1948, winning six medals - two silvers and four bronze.
The Australian women's eight also needed a top-two finish but placed third.
Australia has qualified eight boats with 20 rowers for Brazil, compared with 13 boats and 46 rowers at London in 2012. Australia won three silver and two bronze medals in 2012, failing to win gold for the first time since 2000.
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