Olympic gold medallist Tom Ford has become the fourth rower to be barred from competing for Cambridge at this year’s Boat Race – as a row over eligibility criteria threatens to overshadow the historic event.
Ford recently started an MBA at the University of Cambridge but enrolled for his undergraduate degree at Newcastle University in 2011.
This means he fell foul of a rule introduced after double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell came out of retirement to compete in the race between Oxford and Cambridge in 2019.
Cracknell became the oldest competitor and oldest winner of the famous boat race when he competed with Cambridge six years ago.
However, afterwards, the rowing clubs from both universities agreed on a new rule meaning athletes cannot not take part if they started an undergraduate course more than 12 years earlier.
Ford, who won gold for Team GB in the men’s eight at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will not take part this year despite having competed in a number of test races with the crew.
It comes after three Cambridge university team members were barred from competing in the iconic race because they are not studying for degrees.
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Matt Heywood, a former under-23 world champion, Molly Foxell and Kate Cowley have all been disqualified from competing in the men’s and women’s races on the River Thames on 13 April.
After an Oxford objection, an independent interpretation panel ruled that the three Cambridge rowers were PGCE students and not studying for degrees and were therefore ruled out.
A post-graduate certificate of education (PGCE) is classified as an advanced but non-degree vocational qualification for those moving into the teaching industry.
Olympic gold medallist Imogen Grant, who rows for Cambridge, told the BBC: “PGCE students were racing before – it’s written down.
“It’s the interpretation which has changed. The fact that it is so close to the Boat Race is very unfair.”
Cambridge have dominated the event in recent years, winning seven consecutive women’s titles and five of the past six men’s.
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The Boat Race Company, which runs the contest on behalf of the clubs, said it sympathised with any athlete disappointed with the crew selection for the contest.
“This is an extremely competitive process and there are strict (publicly available) eligibility criteria for being considered for a place in a crew,” a statement said.
“Those criteria are jointly agreed by the two competing clubs, with no involvement from any third party. Similarly, both clubs agree to the existence and ultimate authority of an independent interpretation panel to provide rulings on any disputes, or to clarify rules where necessary.”
In relation to Mr Ford not being able to take part in the race, The Boat Race Company said: “As an Olympic gold medallist, Tom brings significant experience and learnings to the Cambridge squad.
“It is unfortunate that he is not eligible to race according to the rules jointly agreed by the two clubs, but this was known to both Tom and CUBC at the time of his admission to the university last summer.”
