2024 Annual Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race Controversy!
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
This year’s Oxford and Cambridge boat race, held on 30 March 2024, was mired, to some extent, in controversy.
The 6.8km race on the river Thames, between Putney and Mortlake, which involves teams of men (169th time) and women (78th time) from both Universities, was won by Cambridge.
However, both teams had been warned about the pollution of the river and, in particular, high levels of E.coli, which can cause serious infections, and, therefore, to avoid swallowing water splashed up into their boats from the Thames during the race. As well as not throwing the cox of the winning team into the water, in accordance with tradition.
Leonard Jenkins of the Oxford men’s team stated that he had been vomiting before the race, and also that three members of the team had to miss training sessions due to stomach bugs.
Jenkins added:
“It would be a lot nicer if there wasn’t as much poo in the water.”
It would appear that the Thames is polluted by such things as raw sewage, wet wipes and sanitary products!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
