The origins of rowing go back to prehistory: descriptions of the
 sport can be found dating back
 thousands of years.  By the 15th
 century, rowing contests were
 already taking place and in the
 19th century, competitive rowing
 became very popular in the U.S.
 and England.  Rowing was to
 have been part of the first modern
 Olympics in 1896, but rough
 weather canceled the events. 
 Rowing became an official
 Olympic event in 1908.

There are currently 14 rowing and
 sculling events, 8 for men and 6
 for women.  Women's events
 have been part of the Olympics
 only since 1976.  In rowing, each
 oarsman pulls a single oar with
 both hands, with 2, 4, 6, or 8
 people in a boat.  In sculling, 2
 shorter oars are used, one in each
 hand.  In women's events, the
 Eastern Europeans have
 dominated, but in 1992, the
 Canadians took Gold in 3 of the 6
 events.  The American women
 have won several medals in
 rowing, including a Gold in 1984.  

American men have won many
 medals in rowing events through
 the years, but have not been
 dominant in the past few
 Olympics.  The Canadians and
 Australians have been coming on
 strong, along with the Eastern
 Europeans and the Soviets.  The
 British also remain competitive in
 rowing events.