World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland announced on Monday that the lightweight sculls would be the final event to feature at the Paris Olympics, as the sport seeks to change direction and protect its share of available space for athletes.

Rolland, speaking at a press conference held by the Vaires sur Marnes Nautical Center, said the changes in the rowing programme were inevitable because of the fierce competition between sports to secure coveted Olympic slots.

Rolland, a reporter, said: "When we look at the quotas and sport in general, it is clear that (lightweight) rowing was under pressure. It's difficult to continue to defend it."

International federations of the sports featured at these Games compete fiercely for those 10,500 spots.

After Paris, the lightweight rowing event will be replaced by coastal rowing. This will make its debut in Los Angeles in 2028.

The Tokyo Olympics introduced new sports, such as skateboarding, sport-climbing, surfing and breakdancing.

As rowing fights to maintain its position at the Games, the traditional flat water races will now be reduced from 2000 metres to 1500 meters.

The IOC made it very clear in Tokyo that there will be no more than 10,500 athletes, even with the addition of sports. Rolland stated that this is exactly what happened in Paris.

He added, "We do not have the exact numbers yet for the rowing events (at the L.A. Games), but we will know by the end this year."