- The boat race is an annual competition between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge
- Cambridge University is the winners of the record in women’s and male races
- Sir Steve Redgrave spoke about the quality of the Thame river water
Sir Steve Redgrave raised concerns about the quality of the water in the Thames before the 2025 boat race on Sunday, admitting that it is a “real concern”.
The boats race is one of the oldest traditions of the British Sport, with the first competition dating from 1829, with the University of Cambridge with 87 times in the male race and 47 in women since its creation.
The water quality tests of the Action of the Charity River river have determined that the levels of bacteria in the London navigable track are almost three times below the government safety standards.
With only a few days before the annual race between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the Redgrave Olympic Games legend begged the organizers to take measures.
“This is a real concern that in 2025, the quality of dangerous water in the Thames is still a concern,” said the former rower, who won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games between 1984 and 2000, said.
“Reduers, river users and the public deserve better.
Sir Steve Redgrave requests an action to clean the river Thames before the boats race
The legendary Olympic champion said that it was a “concern” that water quality is always a problem
Alarming levels of bacteria of Escherichia coli (E. coli) were found in the course of four miles across the Thames, which extends between Putney and Mortlake in southwest London.
The rowers would get risk of serious illnesses by consuming e germs. Coli – which are in faeces – with cystitis, urinary tract infections (early infections), vomiting and intestinal infections from all bacteria.
In some rare cases, the consumption of E. Coli can cause fatal blood intoxication.
Before the 170th male edition and 79th female edition of The Boat Race on Sunday, the event organizers encouraged the participants to wear shoes, to cover all the blisters and to stay outside the river in joining the advice of British rowing for poor water quality.
The boat race said in a press release: “Water quality is a continuous concern for boats.
“We have set up a series of precautionary measures this year to protect the health of our athletes.
“This includes advice regarding the cover of open wounds, regular hands washing, a cleaning station in the arrival area and highlighting the risks of entering the water.”
Three members of the University of Oxford team in 2024 suffered from stomach bugs during the accumulation until last year’s race, although it cannot be determined if their diseases were caused by pollution in the Thames.
The University of Cambridge boats team is the title champions of the male race
The rowers will probably be prohibited from the tradition of throwing the winning caps in the river
The organizers had hoped that the new Tideway tunnel, which was worked for the first time in 2016 and had become operational earlier this year, would considerably improve the quality of the river water.
The Tideway tunnel is a deep level sewer running 25 km from Acton to the Lee tunnel near Stratford.
Reduers will probably be prohibited from the tradition of throwing the winning boxes in the river due to fears about the quality of the water.
A Thames Swimming Race was canceled in May to fear the potential disease as a result of water. The race has taken place for over 120 years.
