Rowing is among Britain’s most successful Olympic sports with only the USA having won more rowing medals than Team GB.

This successful record has helped make legends of names like Sir Steve Redgrave, Dame Katherine Grainger and Sir Matthew Pinsent.

The class of 2024 will be hoping to add to that tally in Paris this summer as the next chapter of this sport is written at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.

How many Olympic rowing disciplines are there?

The 2024 Paris Olympics will see medals competed for in 14 disciplines. These are split equally between men’s and women’s events.

An equal number of male and female rowers competed for the first time in Tokyo and this remains the case for this summer’s programme.

What is ‘sweep rowing’?

In sweep rowing, athletes use a single oar. This means rowers must be paired in order to balance the boat.

There are three Olympic sweep classes. These are the pair (men’s and women’s), four (men’s and women’s) and eight (men’s and women’s).

What is ‘sculling’?

Sculls events see rowers use two oars, one on either side of the boat.

This is not the only difference between sweep rowing and sculling. The latter includes an individual class (single sculls), while there are two different events for those competing as a duo – double sculls and lightweight double sculls.

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In lightweight double sculls, there is a limit placed on the maximum body weight of competitors. At the international level, this is set as follows:

Men: Crew average 70 kg (154.3 lb) – no rower over 72.5 kg (159.8 lb)

Women: Crew average 57 kg (125.7 lb) – no rower over 59 kg (130.1 lb)

In total, there are four Olympic sculling classes. These are single sculls (men’s and women’s), double sculls (men’s and women’s), lightweight double sculls (men’s and women’s) and quad sculls (men’s and women’s).

Over what distance are races held?

Each Olympic rowing race is held over 2000m.

What is a coxswain and which boats include one?

A coxswain does not row but has plenty of other responsibilities.

They sit at the stern (back) of the boat, facing forwards towards the bow, and are tasked with steering, coordinating the power and rhythm of the rowers and generally acting as a ‘coach’ within the boat.

Of the Olympic classes, only the eight contain a coxswain.

Who steers the boat?

The remaining crews are ‘coxless’ and will identify a member of the boat to take responsibility for steering.

They control the rudder using lines attached to the toe of one shoe, which pivots around the ball of the foot.

In a four or quad, the responsibility will often lie with a rower in the middle of the boat.

How many boats are in a race at the Olympics?

There will be no more than six boats in a race.

The number can vary in heats, repechage races and semi-finals, while each final will be contested by six boats.