(ATR) World Rowing is conducting a feasibility study to bring the 2028 Olympic rowing venue closer Los Angeles, and the potential implications of doing so.
Currently, rowing will be held in Lake Perris, an artificial lake about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. Under normal traffic conditions the venue is about 90 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. A satellite village is planned given the distance from the other venues.
Lake Perris was chosen over 1984 Olympic venue Lake Casitas because the water level in Lake Casitas is no longer "consistent and reliable," according to the federation.
"[World Rowing’s technical requirements were] applied to all bidders for the 2024 process at the time," a spokesperson for the federation said to Around the Rings. "LA presented the closest lake that met these requirements, that was Lake Perris. In the meantime, the IOC’s New Norm was introduced and we have been careful to follow these directives and consider existing venues or possible temporary venues."
World Rowing is now considering the venue for rowing from the 1932 Olympics as part of the IOC’s "New Norm" policy.
The site at Long Beach has two main issues that World Rowing is studying. The area is in a tidal basin, and there is a bridge that crosses the course 500 meters in. If the Long Beach site is considered to be a better alternative to Lake Perris, World Rowing said "compromises to the technical rules would have to be considered".
LA 2028 said in a statement to ATR that "there are no changes to our plan" despite the ongoing feasibility study from World Rowing.
"We're aware the World Rowing Council is considering other possibilities, but at this time our plan remains the same," an LA 2028 spokesperson added.
Long Beach Marine Stadium is considerably closer to downtown Los Angeles, and is less than an hour away by vehicle. The stadium is also connected to LA by a dedicated freeway, which adds to its attractiveness as a venue.
Other considerations for the site include whether a satellite village would be needed, as well as venue overlay and capacity. Rowing would also be integrated with six other disciplines which have venues in Long Beach. Any discussions will also have to include the Long Beach municipal government.
World Rowing says it is only focused on Lake Perris and the Long Beach Marine Stadium going forward. The feasibility study will focus on how tide conditions in Long Beach affect different lanes, as well as possibility of adapting or changing the traditional 2000 meter distance used at Olympic events.
"We believe that, if there will be a change, it is better to deal with it sooner rather than later so money is not wasted on venue planning and permissions if it is not going to be the actual venue," World Rowing added.
Written by Aaron Bauer
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