O’Donovan brothers have been two of the biggest breakthrough stars of the Rio Olympics.
The Cork siblings claimed silver for Ireland in the men’s lightweight double sculls and won over Olympic viewers with their incredibly laid-back approach to the competition coupled with the very entertaining interviews.
However, they may not be able to defend their medal in four years time as it runs the risk of being dropped from the Tokyo games in 2020, according to the Times. International Olympic Committee (IOC) have told Fisa, the world governing body for rowing, that the men’s lightweight sculls could be removed from the Olympics in order to ensure the rowing events are gender-equal.
"Tis great to beat the Brits," – the O'Donovan brothers are the gift that just keeps on giving https://t.co/ewqnRFUyQs
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 11, 2016
There are eight men’s rowing events in this year’s Games, while there are only six for women. The IOC wants to have an equal number of events for both men and women without increasing the number of competing athletes beyond 550.
Hamish Adams, chief executive of Rowing Ireland, told the Times that he will fight to ensure the event does not get cut in four years time.
“Nothing has been decided yet, but the Games will definitely be gender-equal.”
“There is support to push out the lightweight fours, but we have made it clear we want to see lightweight rowing and sculls in the Olympics.”
“Historically they have been a strength of Irish rowing, which we may have seen in the last week with the lads, so we want that kept on. We have no idea yet though what the situation will be, everything is up for argument.”
On the latest episode of the GAA Hour Hurling Show Wooly and the lads reflect on a monumental weekend of action. Listen below or subscribe here on iTunes.
