Rowing was first used as a means of transport in the ancient cultures of Egypt, Greece and Rome. Rowing as a sport probably began in Victorian England in the 17th and early 18th centuries. By the 19th century, rowing was popular in Europe and had been exported to America. Early races were usually contested by professionals, and heavy betting on races was common.

The earliest recognised champion was Toronto's Edward "Ned" Hanlan, nicknamed "The Boy in Blue," because of his penchant for racing in a sky blue outfit. Hanlan has also been described as the first true world champion of any sport. Competitive rowing precedes most of the other Olympic sports in its recorded modern history. The first Oxford-Cambridge race took place in 1828 and Yale and Harvard first rowed against each other in 1852 on New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee.

(BOCOG)