Chastened by poor performances in their two races so far, the Irish lightweight four rowers have decided to change the way the crew lines up in the boat. Before the Olympics the crew, only formed at Easter, rowed with Neville Maxwell in the bow, Neal Byrne in the two seat, Gearoid Towey in three and Tony O'Connor at stroke. In the run-up to the Games Maxwell and Byrne switched, but for the semi-final they return to the original formation.