Single Sculls, Men

Controversy occurred here in the first semi-final, when St George Ashe did not qualify. He was almost disqualified in the heats, when he rowed far out of his lane and interfered with Raymond Benoit. However, his victory was allowed to stand. Then, after not qualifying, Ashe protested that he should be permitted to advance to the final. It is difficult to tell exactly why, as no significant irregularities in the semi-final race are described in any of the journals. Hermann Barrelet and André Gaudin then protested, and refused to race if Ashe were included in the final. But Robert d’Heilly stated that he would race, nevertheless. Barrelet and Gaudin were eventually convinced to race against Ashe. Barrelet won easily, pulling steadily away from Gaudin. Ashe and d’Heilly were not factors. Louis Prével fell in the water and did not finish, but he protested, to no avail, that he had been interfered with.