World Rowing notified Rowing Canada Aviron today that Canada has now earned a spot for Tokyo 2020 in the lightweight women’s double event. This Olympic spot has been reallocated due to the New Zealand National Olympic Committee declining a previously confirmed spot.

Following the Tokyo Olympic Games rowing qualification system, this quota place has now been offered to the National Olympic Committee with the next highest placed boat from the 2019 World Rowing Championships which had not already qualified a LW2x.

Canadian lightweight rowers Jennifer Casson and Jill Moffatt placed eighth overall at the 2019 World Rowing Championships, just missing out on securing a spot for Tokyo. The crew hasn’t competed internationally since that event due to COVID-19.

“Without a shadow of a doubt, there is excitement in the air for us this morning,” said Casson. “Losing such incredible competitors as the New Zealand lightweight double is truly a loss to the lightweight event, if not the sport. Jackie [Kiddle] and Zoe [McBride] have been at the top of their game for a long time, and their results and class act as a crew and individuals attest to that.”

Canada has currently qualified seven boats to line up in Tokyo with a final qualification opportunity next month in Lucerne, Switzerland from May 15-17. All members of the Olympic and Paralympic rowing teams will be selected and nominated to the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee in the coming months. 

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