An 11th New Zealand rowing crew is set to compete at the Rio Olympics, after the Russian men's quadruple sculls crew was banned after one of their members failed a doping test in May.
The Russian crew won the 'last chance' qualifying regatta in Lucerne and advanced to the Rio Games.
George Bridgewater (above) John Storey, Nathan Flannery, and Jade Uru will now compete at the Rio Olympics. Photo: Photosport
The New Zealand crew finished third, with the first two placegetters qualifying.
Rowing New Zealand chief executive Simon Peterson said when he told John Storey, George Bridgewater, Nathan Flannery, and Jade Uru they were Rio bound there were a range of emotions.
"Smiles, deep breaths, laughter and complete relief really. They are back training and our athletes train really hard in the physical sense (but there's) also the mental side which they have been going through over the last week or so after being called back to training and now to be given this news is partly relief and partly excitement."
The women's quad and men's four which also missed out on Rio qualification are also on standby.
The New Zealand Olympic committee has confirmed the quad's nomination and NZOC chief executive Kereyn Smith said "(we) are proud to compete clean and commend (international rowing organisation) FISA for taking ongoing steps to remove drug cheats from competition."