5 Jul 2016

NZ men's quad face nervous wait again

6:46 am on 5 July 2016

The New Zealand men's quadruple sculls crew could lose their Olympic reprieve, with Russia to appeal a doping ban.

The New Zealand men's quadruple sculls crew of Nathan Flannery, Jade Uru, George Bridgwater, John Storey. 22 May 2016, 2016 FISA European and Final Olympic Qualification Regatta at Lucerne, Switzerland

The New Zealand men's quadruple sculls on the water in Lucerne Photo: Photosport

The New Zealand quad have replaced the Russia quad in the Olympic field due to a positive test returned by one of the Russian team in May.

However, the Russian Rowing Federation plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a last-ditch effort to compete in Rio next month.

Only last week, the New Zealand team of George Bridgewater, John Storey, Nathan Flannery, and Jade Uru got the word that they'd been confirmed as replacing the Russians on the Rio start line.

George Bridgewater (above) John Storey, Nathan Flannery, and Jade Uru will now compete at the Rio Olympics.

George Bridgewater and team must again wait to hear if their Rio chances have been dashed Photo: Photosport

The Russian crew won the 'last chance' qualifying regatta in Lucerne and advanced to the Rio Games.

The New Zealand crew finished third, with the first two placegetters qualifying.

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