The historic sporting event on the Thames between Putney and Mortlake takes place on Sunday, the 13th of April this year.
But three Cambridge rowers have been blocked from competing.
Post-graduate teacher training students, Matt Heywood, Molly Foxell and cox Kate Cowley have been ruled ineligible.
It is thought the decision is an attempt to prevent clubs from drafting in elite-level rowers.
A statement from The Boat Race Company reads;
“We sympathise with any athlete disappointed with the crew selection for The Boat Race. This is an extremely competitive process and there are strict (publicly available) eligibility criteria for being considered for a place in a crew.
“Those criteria are jointly agreed by the two competing Clubs, with no involvement from The Boat Race Company Limited (BRCL) or any third party. Similarly, both Clubs agree to the existence and ultimate authority of an independent Interpretation Panel to provide rulings on any disputes, or to clarify rules where necessary. The Clubs are signatories to a Joint Agreement and agree to be bound by a ruling of the Interpretation Panel with no further recourse. We hope that any decision of the Interpretation Panel (IP) is respected and accepted, and not debated publicly, particularly since the IP’s remit was agreed by the Clubs. The Panel is made up of a Chair, two representatives from both clubs and two academics.
“We look forward to the clubs racing on Sunday, the 13th of April where the intense rivalry is best seen on the water.”
