Some of the best rowing prospects in the U.S. spent the summer at the Conshohocken Rowing Center. There, they honed the skills needed to row their way onto the team competing at the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics. Michael Houston waded into the details for Inside the Games.

The athletes are vying for a spot on a new team comprising rowers must be younger than 23 years old by 2028, meaning most are now in their late teens. They were selected from colleges and universities across the nation.

Craig Hoffman, the center’s executive director, said he was proud to host the upcoming hopefuls. The center’s proximity to the Schuylkill River, which offers ideal conditions, made his site an apt choice for honing rowing skill.

“This is the American dream,” he said.

“It takes a lot of time and physical strength to do what they do, but it takes a lot of mental strength and focus, too, and a sense of well-being is every bit as important as physical strength to their success.”

“Mental preparation is key. Athletes will carry the same problems they had as adolescents all the way to the Olympics if they don’t have the psychological support they need to overcome their issues early on and as problems arise,” he explained.

To paddle through additional details on Conshohocken Rowing Center and its role in the 2028 LA Olympics go to Inside the Games.