Rowing-Crewing row makes waves ahead of University Boat Race

LONDON (Reuters) - A row has broken out ahead of this year's Boat Race after three Cambridge University rowers were barred from competing in the iconic event because they are not taking degrees.

Matt Heywood, a former under-23 world champion, Molly Foxell and Kate Cowley have all been disqualified from competing in the men's and women's races on the River Thames on April 13.

After an Oxford objection, an independent interpretation panel ruled that the three Cambridge rowers were PGCE students and not studying for degrees and were therefore ruled out.

A Post-Graduate certificate of Education (PGCE) is classified as an advanced but non-degree vocational qualification for those moving into the teaching industry.

Olympic gold medallist Imogen Grant, who rows for Cambridge, said the decision was "very unfair".

"PGCE students were racing before -- it's written down," Grant, who won lightweight double sculls at Paris 2024 and is a three-times Boat race winner with Cambridge, was quoted as saying by the BBC. "It's the interpretation which has changed. The fact that it is so close to the Boat Race is very unfair.

"It upsets me because the Boat Race is iconic, because it's a massive showcase, an age-old rivalry.

"It only stays exciting if you have the best crews and we are getting tied down in semantics. We want to see the best race. Not quibbling whether a degree counts or not."

Cambridge have dominated the event in recent years, winning seven consecutive women's titles and five of the past six men's.

The Boat Race Company, which runs the contest on behalf of the clubs, said it sympathised with any athlete disappointed with the crew selection for the contest.

"This is an extremely competitive process and there are strict (publicly available) eligibility criteria for being considered for a place in a crew," a statement said.

"Those criteria are jointly agreed by the two competing clubs, with no involvement from any third party. Similarly, both clubs agree to the existence and ultimate authority of an independent interpretation panel to provide rulings on any disputes, or to clarify rules where necessary."

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Toby Davis)