Rowing: GB pull out over E-coli concerns

The event, which takes place in Hamburg, is scheduled for 17-19 June. However, GB rowing last night announced: "The decision to withdraw is based on a risk- assessment relating to the continuing issue of E-coli in the area."

Meanwhile, Scottish rowers were on the podium at the Metropolitan Regatta, held on Dorney Lake, the Olympic rowing venue for London 2012. The Met Regatta, established in 1866, is one of the oldest and most competitive regattas on the domestic circuit and this year's event featured rowers from across the UK and Ireland including crews from clubs in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Leading the way was Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club with victories in the Men's Elite Double Scull and Men's Senior Double Scull. Glasgow-based Gavin Murty, 19, partnered Hereford Rowing Club's Jamie Coombes to a nine-second victory over an Exeter/Maidenhead composite in the Elite Double Sculls final. In the men's Senior Double Scull, Clydesdale duo Chris Rae and Andrew McConnell recovered from a slow start to row through their Henley/Lea opposition in the final 500 metres to take gold, with Nottingham Rowing Club in third.

Rae, 21, also enjoyed success in the Senior Single Scull, where he finished in second place behind Will Mace of Tees.

Kirriemuir's Sam Scrimgeour, current world under-23 bronze medallist in the Lightweight Men's Quadruple Scull, won gold racing for Imperial College London in the Elite Lightweight Single Scull, while Imogen Walsh (Inverness) took gold for London Rowing Club in the Women's Elite Double Scull.

Edinburgh University finished second in the Women's Senior Coxed Four, with Aberdeen Boat Club achieving the same placing in the Men's Intermediate 3 Coxed Four.

Glasgow Rowing Club's Amanda Larcombe had a busy regatta with a second place in the Women's Senior Single Scull and a fourth place in the Women's Elite Single Scull.