The rowing regatta was a cornerstone at the Paris Games almost from the beginning. There were many dramatic moments, but few new breakthroughs as favourites took the majority of medals.

Rowing is steeped in tradition. Only bad weather prevented it from debuting at the 1896 Games. It has been a part of every Games ever since. But change is on its way.

If it wants to maintain its athletes' quota beyond 2028, rowing is likely to have to reach a wider audience.

Imogen Grant, a lightweight British woman and Emily Craig won the Paris Regatta after missing out on Tokyo's podium by just a 100th of a sec.

The Los Angeles Games will feature coastal rowing, which is expected to replace the lightweight men's division.

The British rowing team made a stunning turnaround, finishing 14th on the medal table in Tokyo, with only two medals. Neither of these medals were gold. They won 3 golds in Paris, 2 silvers, 3 bronzes. In Paris, they finished behind the Dutch who won 4 golds.

The medals were awarded to eight of the ten British crews.

The United States, which left Tokyo with no medals, won two in Paris and will want more in four years when they host the Games on their own waters.

There was also plenty of drama, but not many surprises, as the Netherlands and a revived Britain dominated medals. They took home half the available 42.

New Zealand has produced some of its best rowers of modern times, and they won four medals at Paris. But many of their top paddlers will be beyond their prime before L.A. leaving them with an unfilled hole.

The younger generation may be interested in coastal rowing by 2028. However, Paris showed that there's still excitement to be found when more traditional crews and boats take to the waters under the Olympic rings. Reporting by Philip O'Connor, Editing by Ken Ferris

(source: Reuters)