This was the second appearance of the event. Rowing had been on the programme in 1896 but was cancelled due to bad weather. The men's coxed pair was one of the original four events in 1900, but was not held in 1904, 1908, or 1912. It returned to the programme after World War I and was held every Games from 1924 to 1992, when it (along with the men's coxed four) was replaced with the men's lightweight double sculls and men's lightweight coxless four.[2]
Italy and Switzerland each made their debut in the event. Belgium and France each made their second appearance, having previously competed in 1900.
Competition format
The coxed pair event featured three-person boats, with two rowers and a coxswain. It was a sweep rowing event, with the rowers each having one oar (and thus each rowing on one side). The competition featured two rounds (semifinals and a final). There were three semifinals; the winner of each advanced to the final. As there were only four boats after withdrawals, two of the three semifinals ended up being walkovers. The three-boat final determined the medals. The course used the 2000 metres distance that became the Olympic standard in 1912.[3]
