Greg Rutherford: Former Olympic long jumper offered British Rowing invite

Greg Rutherford (left) could be about to try his hand at rowing. Credit: PA

Former Olympic long jumper Greg Rutherford has been invited to take part in the British Indoor Rowing Championships after he excelled in a testing day.

The 32-year-old from Milton Keynes spent a day with rowers from the GB team at Caversham where he was put through their 'World Class Start programme' - a scheme that aims to "identify non-rowers who have Olympic podium potential".

The day included a race on the indoor rowing machine against Rio 2016 Olympic champion in the men’s four, Moe Sbihi.

Now, British Rowing have confirmed that they have contacted Rutherford to ask if he'd be interested in competing in the Championships at the Lee Valley Velopark in London on Saturday 8 December.

Rutherford, who famously won gold in the long jump at the London 2012 Olympics, retired from athletics earlier this year.

GB rower Adam Neill won last year's race. Credit: Naomi Baker

"Entries to the Mizuno British Rowing Indoor Championships close on Wednesday (November 28), so we shall wait to see if Greg has accepted the invitation," a British Rowing spokesperson said.

“The Mizuno British Rowing Indoor Championships is an event like no other, with members of the public able to race alongside and against the stars of the GB Rowing Team.

"We look forward to welcoming to the event members of the GB Rowing Team’s Olympic and Paralympic squads as they continue their preparations for Tokyo 2020.”