Q 01/05

Which film star's father was barred from Henley in 1920, then won Olympic sculling gold that summer?

A) Katharine Hepburn

B) Grace Kelly

C) Ingrid Bergman

D) Audrey Hepburn

Answer · why

B) Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly: in the Antwerp final her father, Jack Kelly, beat Britain's Jack Beresford, who had won that year's Diamond Sculls at Henley.

Q 02/05

What is the key difference between rowing and paddling sports?

A) The oars are attached to the boat

B) The boats are steered by a rudder

C) The boats have no keel

D) Each athlete uses a single blade

Answer · why

A) The oars are attached to the boat

The oars are attached to the boat: the oarlock acts as a fulcrum, so each oar works as a lever, while a paddle has no attachment at all.

Q 03/05

Which Hollywood star directed the 2023 film of The Boys in the Boat, about America's 1936 Olympic eight?

A) Ben Affleck

B) George Clooney

C) Bradley Cooper

D) Clint Eastwood

Answer · why

B) George Clooney

George Clooney: the book's hero, Joe Rantz, had been left by his family to fend for himself, yet still won a seat in the gold-medal boat.

Q 04/05

What is the standard distance for Olympic and World Championship rowing races?

A) 500 metres

B) 2,000 metres

C) 6,000 metres

D) 20,000 metres

Answer · why

B) 2,000 metres

2,000 metres: women's Olympic crews raced only 1,000 metres until the 1988 Seoul Games moved them up to the men's distance.

Q 05/05

Which country's champion rowing crew of the 1990s was nicknamed the Oarsome Foursome?

A) New Zealand

B) Canada

C) Australia

D) United States

Answer · why

C) Australia

Australia: a seat change and new short cleaver-shaped blades restored their form before Barcelona, and the gold made them household names.