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Eton Dorney Rowing Events

Eton Dorney will be the venue for Rowing, Paralympic Rowing and Canoe Sprint events during the London 2012 Games. The Rowing competition at the London 2012 Games will feature extraordinary displays of power and passion on the world-class waters at Eton Dorney. Although its history dates back centuries, Rowing only came of age as a competitive sport in the last 200 years. Interest began to increase after Oxford and Cambridge Universities began their rivalry on the Thames in 1829, a rivalry that continues today in the shape of the annual Boat Race. Today’s sport is renowned for its competitors’ legendary displays of strength and stamina, as athletes push themselves through the pain barrier in an attempt to win Olympic gold.

Key facts about Eton Dorney for the Olympics Rowing Events

Sport: Rowing, Paralympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint
Location: Eton Dorney is near Windsor Castle, around 25 miles west of London
New or existing: Existing with enhancements
Permanent or temporary: Permanent
Number of events: 30

About Eton Dorney

Eton Dorney Rowing Centre at Dorney Lake is a world-class venue that will be used for the Rowing events during the London 2012 Games.

The venue is a 2,200m, eight-lane rowing course with a separate return lane constructed to international standards. It is set in a 400-acre park with a nature conservation area. In 2006, it hosted the Rowing World Championships, with high praise from both competitors and spectators.

The venue’s existing facilities have been enhanced for athlete warm-up and Canoe Sprint events during the Games. These works included the installation of a new 50m-span bridge over a widened entrance to the return lake for vehicles and pedestrians.

A cut-through between the competition lake and the return lake, and a new bridge over this cut-through area have also been constructed. The new cut-through enables rowers to move between the rowing course and return lake.

To facilitate these works, the existing gravel/stone access road to the competition venue has been upgraded.
During the Games
Eton Dorney will be the venue for Rowing, Paralympic Rowing and Canoe Sprint events during the London 2012 Games.

After the Games

Eton Dorney will continue to be a world-class training and competition facility.