They were one of fours, along with athletics, swimming and table tennis, expected to be reintroduced to the programme after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted last November to readmit ID athletes back into the Games having banned them after the Sydney Games in 2000.

Bu rowing's world governing body FISA have decided not to take up the IPC's offer following three separate meetings held by its ruling Council because they feared it would undermine the standard of the rest of the regatta, which is due to take plact Dorney Lake.

A statement said: "This decision followed a survey of member national federations which showed that there was not yet an adequate number of federations ready or able to prepare crews in time for 2012.

"It was felt that this would have significantly affected the credibility of the Paralympic regatta - which would have been the most important competitive event in the four year period for this discipline of rowers.

"As well, the member federations also commented on the additional strain that would be placed on financial and human resources when they are already in the middle of the current quadrennium."

The decision is certain to be seen as a setback for ID athletes but FISA claimed that this was not the case.

The statement said: "This decision should not in any way be viewed as a step backwards from FISA’s very strong commitment to make its sport available for individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities; it is just a reflection of the current state of preparedness of athletes with an intellectual disability within the sport of rowing."


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