BUENOS AIRES, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- As if competing at the Youth Olympics isn't daunting enough, competitors in the rowing events at the Buenos Aires 2018 Games are having to contend with a whole new set of challenges.
The four boat classes - single sculls and pair for men and women - began their respective competitions on Sunday with formats that are unfamiliar to most rowers.
A time trial preliminary round, which determines the seedings for subsequent points-accumulation rounds, requires athletes to complete a 1,000-meter course that includes a sharp U-turn around a buoy.
Another change, is the shorter 500-meter distance in the points-accumulation rounds and finals.
Greece's world junior women's pair champion Christina Bourmpou admitted she was apprehensive about the U-turn, which she has never done before in competition.
"We don't know exactly how to do it," she told the Olympic information service. "Sometimes we make the turns too big, and other times too small. Sometimes we go too fast, and other times too slow."
Romania's junior world pair champions Florin Arteni-Fintinariu and Alexandru-Laurentiu Danciu are also uneasy about the changes.
"Not sure we are getting another gold here," Romania coach Christian Malis said. "The rowers are out of the comfort zone. We are good at the long-distance course, but here everything is different. They need to change their heart rate, their breathing, and even the muscles they have to work harder. It's a complete different training they have to adjust."
One of the reasons for the format changes was a desire by organizers to keep the event within the Puerto Madero precinct, which includes restaurants, cafes and architectural landmarks.
"The main aspect here was to be right in the middle of the city, on an urban environment, with the public all around," world rowing federation (FISA) executive committee member Mike Tanner said.
"The YOG is always a special opportunity to attract a new audience into the sport. We have opened our minds and asked ourselves how could we make this the most exciting we can for the participants, still keeping the values of the sport."
Zimbabwe rowing manager Maggie Gibson added: "This shortened version might not be traditional, but it is a brilliant solution. It makes us feel part of the cool sports. The more you feel the place, the more I love the idea of changing it to fit into the venue."
