Rowing

Rowing is a sport of strength and rhythm: competitors row with their backs to the finish line along a 2,000-metre straight course divided into lanes. A distinction is made between single sculls, where each athlete uses a single oar, and double sculls, where each uses two; crews range from singles to eights with a coxswain, with open and lightweight categories. The first modern regattas were held on the Thames in the 18th century among professional boatmen; the Oxford–Cambridge university rowing match, established in 1829, remains one of the oldest sporting competitions in the world. Rowing has featured at the Olympic Games since 1900 and has a long Mediterranean tradition, with Italy among the most successful nations of all time. It is considered one of the toughest sports of all: a 2,000-metre race lasts between five and seven minutes and engages over 70 per cent of the body’s muscle mass, with a stroke rate of 35–40 strokes per minute. Within the crew, synchronisation is just as important as power: a single stroke out of time is enough to lose precious metres. At the 20th Mediterranean Games in Taranto 2026, rowing will bring the water sports programme to a close: competitions will take place from 31 August to 3 September at Parco Cimino, the rowing centre on the Mar Piccolo, with 10 titles up for grabs across the single scull, double scull, lightweight categories and mixed double scull events.

• 1A 2,000-metre straight course, with assigned lanes and a line-up start
• 2Single sculls: one oar per athlete. Double sculls: two oars per athlete
• 3The lightweight categories have individual and crew weight limits
• 4Qualification for the finals takes place via heats, repechages and semi-finals (A, B and C finals)
• 5Ten titles up for grabs in Taranto from 31 August to 3 September at Parco Cimino, the rowing centre on the Mar Piccolo