Delta's Brendan Hodge and Maxwell Lattimer are among 28 athletes named by Rowing Canada that will be competing in the first World Rowing Cup event in Italy, April 15-17.
Hodge and Lattimer will be part of Canada's lightweight men's four crew that also includes Ontario's Nicolas Pratt and Eric Woelfl. This is the same team that won gold at last summer's Pan American Games and later qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio earning the final eligible spot at the World Championships in France.
Canada finished fifth in the consolation final, recording the11th fastest time overall to dramatically earn the final Rio berth in the 22 country event.
The Canadian team of six crews is also slated to compete at the final two World Cup stops in Switzerland and Poland in May and June respectively.
"Canadian rowers are heading into an intense period of competition with the Olympic and Paralympic Games quickly approaching," said Peter Cookson, High Performance Director, Rowing Canada Aviron. "These athletes have proven time and again their determination and commitment to excellence. The World Cups will be a perfect opportunity for them to demonstrate the hard work they have put in during the winter, and to work on the things that will lead to success in Rio in a few months time."
Canada's official Olympic team in rowing will be announced by Rowing Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee on June 28 in Toronto.
