MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Better late than never for the Australian women's eights rowing team at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, even if they'll have to borrow a boat and oars.
The Australian women's crew had disbanded after failing to qualify when a third placing at a regatta in Switzerland in late May left the team as first reserves for Rio.
But they reassembled in Melbourne last weekend after the possibility of an Olympic call-up because of Russian athletes facing expulsion over doping.
On Tuesday, world rowing federation FISA said Russian boats in four categories, including the women's eights, were being withdrawn following the strict anti-doping criteria announced by the International Olympic Committee after allegations of widespread doping and cover-ups in Russia.