NBP, PNRA to Host U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Team Trials - Rowing

With Covid-19 forcing the postponement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 until later this summer, Nathan Benderson Park and Princeton National Rowing Association have been selected to host the three re-scheduled 2020 U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Team Trials – Rowing, with the first event slated to start one month from today.

"USRowing has been fortunate to have great partners in Nathan Benderson Park and PNRA that have been working with us to hold and support our Olympic and Paralympic Trials in 2021," said Matt Imes, USRowing High Performance Director. "These events are critical points towards our process to the Games, and in these complicated times, NBP and PNRA have been tremendous to work with."

Located in Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla., Nathan Benderson Park, in conjunction with Visit Sarasota County and Bradenton Area CVB, will host the first set of U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Rowing from February 22-26 and will feature racing in the women's single sculls, men's single sculls, men's double sculls, lightweight women's double sculls and lightweight men's double sculls. The venue previously hosted the 2016 U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Team Trials, as well as the 2017 World Rowing Championships and the 2019 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.

"We are proud and excited to welcome these outstanding athletes to Nathan Benderson Park and the Sarasota-Bradenton area," said Stephen V. Rodriguez, COO of SANCA, the non-profit that operates Nathan Benderson Park. "We recognize the time and hard work these fine athletes dedicate to training for this moment and are committed to providing a world-class stage on which to perform."

Hosted by Princeton National Rowing Association, the second 2020 U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Team Trials – Rowing will be held April 12-16 at Mercer Lake in West Windsor, N.J. The event will feature racing in the three Olympic boat classes – the women's double sculls, men's pair, and men's quadruple sculls, as well as three Paralympic boat classes – the PR1 men's single sculls, PR1 women's single sculls, and PR2 mixed double sculls. PNRA previously has hosted numerous Olympic Trials including the men's pair trials in 2016.

PNRA also will host the third set of U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Rowing for the women's pair from June 4-6, if necessary.

"PNRA is proud to be able to play a role in the selection of Team USA for the Tokyo Games," said Kristopher Grudt, Executive Director of PNRA. "Since 1988, Mercer Lake has played an important role in the training and selection of our national teams, and we are honored to continue that tradition. As a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site, we are grateful to be a part of the journey of these incredible athletes and look forward to seeing them compete in the Tokyo Games."

The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will run July 23-August 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. The 2020 Paralympic Games are scheduled for August 24-September 5, 2021.

Click here for a complete overview on how rowing's Olympic and Paralympic teams are selected. Click here to request media credentials for the 2020 U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Team Trials – Rowing. Click here for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Rowing News Access Guidelines.

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