Athletes, coaches, a doctor, physiotherapists and Rowing Australia officials arrived in Nagambie on April 28 to conduct the FISA World Rowing Regatta Simulation.
The event was scheduled to be held in Croatia before travel to Europe was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The next hurdle was a blue-green algae outbreak at the Penrith rowing course, which forced the team to look to Nagambie’s Olympic standard rowing course.
“We’re excited to be able to host athletes of this calibre in Strathbogie Shire,” Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Chris Raeburn said.
“The Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre is our state’s premier rowing facility.
“It’s a 2000 m fully buoyed, national standard rowing course and we’re proud to have this facility in our shire.”
Cr Raeburn said after two days of training, the athletes would also go into a full lockdown simulation to prepare for life at the Olympics.
“They are required to wear masks at all times except when they are on the water or training,” he said.
The visit was an exciting time for Nagambie Primary School and Violet Town's Peranbin Primary School students, who visited the course on April 29.
The students had first-hand experience with the crews, watching them train, helping to carry boats out of the water and learning about what life is like for an Olympic athlete.
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