Rowing at the Rio 2016 Olympics: All you need to know

How does it work?

There are 14 events - eight for men and six for women - across two weight divisions and both forms of rowing: sweep (where rowers use one oar each) and sculling (where they use two oars).

All races are in a straight line over a 2,000m course. Each regatta can have a maximum of six boats, which each has its own lane to race in.

Some events will comprise heats, a repechage (second chance to progress) and final, while those with lots of entries will also include quarter-finals and semi-finals.

Who are the favourites?

You would put your houseboat on Helen Glover and Heather Stanning winning the women's pair, while the USA women's eight have won the past 10 world titles.

New Zealand men's pair Hamish Bond and Eric Murray are unbeaten since 2009.

What about the British prospects?

Great Britain has won rowing gold at every Olympics since 1984, and that streak should be continued in Rio. Besides Glover and Stanning, British gold in the men's four has become something of an Olympic tradition.

When is it on?

Rowing takes place in the first week of competition at Rio, beginning on Saturday, 6 August, with medals available from the Wednesday.

I didn't know that...

Dr Benjamin Spock, the famous child development expert, won Olympic gold in the men's eight at the 1924 Games.

Previous British medallists

Sixty three (28 gold, 22 silver, 13 bronze).

Most recent British medals

Gold, and plenty of them at London 2012 - Helen Glover and Heather Stanning (women's pair), Anna Watkins and Katherine Grainger (women's double sculls), Kat Copeland and Sophie Hosking (women's lightweight double sculls), Alex Gregory, Tom James, Pete Reed and Andy Triggs-Hodge (men's four).

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