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Rowing Olympics Preview: Strapping toffs contest close run races

Britain have taken medals in the men's and women's events at every Olympics since 1984.

How it works:

Fourteen disciplines, eight for men, six for women, ranging from one man alone in a solo scull, to eight bruisers thrashing around with a cox. Each contest starts with qualifying rounds, then the 12 fastest qualifiers go into a semi-final, which, of course, leads to the final. Men and women both row over a 2km course.

Who'll do well:

Great Britain topped the medals table at last year's World Championships, although they are struggling with injuries in some of their best events. China, Great Britain and Germany have been the most successful nations in the first two of this year's Rowing World Cup regattas. The third and final event begins on June 20.

What makes it interesting: There is hardly ever more than a couple of seconds between first and second place, making it edge-of-the-seat stuff. And what better sight than four strapping toffs celebrating gold for GB?

Why bet on it:

The British men have bagged a gold every year in the water since 1984. The women have become good for the odd silver and bronze in recent years too (Women's Coxless Pairs, silver, 2004; Women's Quadruple Scull, bronze, 2004).

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dx-NtpYoqes