Olympics 2024: What is rowing?

With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games just around the corner, rowing is a sport in which Team GB will be hoping to win a medal or two!

But, what is rowing? And how can young people get involved?

De-Graft has been to meet a group of school children who are part of a project helping more young people take part in the sport.

And he even gave it a go himself.

What is rowing?

Rowing is a popular sport with people competing at all different levels - from club level to the Olympics

Rowing is a sport that anyone can take part in - as part of a team or solo.

The sport is split into two categories; sculling - rowing using two oars, and sweep - rowing with just one oar.

Both of these categories feature at the Olympics.

Rowing at the Olympics

Helen Glover is a two-time Olympic rowing champion

Rowing was introduced to the Olympic program in 1900 at the first Summer games.

However, at this time it was only for men.

Women's rowing events were introduced at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.

GB usually do very well in rowing at the Olympics - winning a medal at every games since 1984.

British athletes have qualified in lots of categories in both men and women's rowing for the 2024 Paris Olympics so it is hoped that the team will do well.

Paralympic rowing

Paralympic rowing includes mixed boats of men and women

Rowing was added to the Paralympic list of sports in 2005 and first appears at the 2008 Beijing games.

Paralympic rowing is open to male and female rowers, and for Paris 2024 includes five events.

Like Olympic rowing, British Para athletes have a history of success at Paralympic rowing - having won a gold at every game since it began.

How are young people being encouraged to take part?

De-Graft joined in with this school's rowing lesson

With rowing aiming to shed its elitist image - a sport for the rich - young people are being encouraged to try out rowing.

Schemes, such as the one De-Graft joined in the video, are being run to give more young people the chance to try out the sport.

With more school children trying out the sport it is hoped that future Team GB stars will be found and team GB can continue its success in the sport at the Olympic and Paralympic games.