sport, women-in-sport, Lucy Stephan, Stephan, Lucy, Nhill, rowing, Rowing Australia
Nhill's dual world champion Lucy Stephan has been selected in the national rowing team to prepare for the Tokyo Olympic Games. The selected crews will contest the final Olympic and Paralympic qualification regattas. The 2016 Rio Olympic Games competitor has been named in a 16-strong women's sweep squad. Stephan helped qualify Australia for the coxless four in Tokyo 2020 with victory in the 2019 world championship. That gave Australian back-to-back gold medals in the event. The feat also saw Stephan named Victoria's Female Athlete of the Year, pipping other nominees international netballer Liz Watson, freestyle skier Jakara Anthony and world billiards champion Anna Lynch. Rowing Australia performance director Bernard Savage said it was pleasing to be able announce squads and crews to prepare in Australia this year. "We are really positive about the athletes and crews that have been selected. "It's an important step on the way towards Tokyo. "Over the coming months we will work to refine our strategy and thinking in the lead up to the Games before nominating our crews to the Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia," he said. Rowing Australia will not be sending athletes to compete at the 2021 World Rowing Cups. However, it is looking to send four crews to the final Olympic qualification regatta scheduled for Lucerne on May 15-17 and one crew to the final paralympic qualification regatta scheduled for Gavirate in Italy on June 3-5. Savage said getting to the final qualification regattas will obviously present significant challenges. "However, we are committed to doing all we can to provide these crews the opportunity to pursue their Olympic and Paralympic dreams." The Tokyo Games have been scheduled to begin on July 23, having been postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials have repeatedly insisted the Games will not be cancelled or delayed, but may be closed to visitors.
Rowing Australia performance director Bernard Savage said it was pleasing to be able announce squads and crews to prepare in Australia this year.
"We are really positive about the athletes and crews that have been selected.
"It's an important step on the way towards Tokyo.
Stephan and the women's coxless four celebrate after World Championship success. Picture: ROWING AUSTRALIA
"Over the coming months we will work to refine our strategy and thinking in the lead up to the Games before nominating our crews to the Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia," he said.
Rowing Australia will not be sending athletes to compete at the 2021 World Rowing Cups.
However, it is looking to send four crews to the final Olympic qualification regatta scheduled for Lucerne on May 15-17 and one crew to the final paralympic qualification regatta scheduled for Gavirate in Italy on June 3-5.
Savage said getting to the final qualification regattas will obviously present significant challenges.
"However, we are committed to doing all we can to provide these crews the opportunity to pursue their Olympic and Paralympic dreams."
The Tokyo Games have been scheduled to begin on July 23, having been postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials have repeatedly insisted the Games will not be cancelled or delayed, but may be closed to visitors.
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