Olympic champion Hugo Boucheron has withdrawn from the 2026 World Rowing Championships on medical grounds, forcing changes to France’s men’s and mixed double sculls crews days before racing begins in Amsterdam.
The original selection paired Boucheron with Yoann Lamiral in the men’s double and Emma Lunatti in the mixed double. Valentin Onfroy will now join Lamiral in the men’s double, while Lamiral takes Boucheron’s seat alongside Lunatti.
The Fédération Française d’Aviron said Boucheron was “currently unable to fully continue his training programme for medical reasons” and would not race at the championships, which run from 24 to 30 August at the Bosbaan.
“This decision, taken on the recommendation of the medical staff and in consultation with the athlete and the French team staff, aims to protect his health and allow him to approach the next Olympic qualification season in the best possible conditions,” the federation said.
No diagnosis or return date was given. Boucheron and Lamiral had already withdrawn from World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne for medical reasons before racing in June.
France’s First Elite Mixed Entries
France’s selection includes its first mixed eight and mixed double entries at a senior World Championships. Both boats include athletes already entered in other events in Amsterdam.
Lunatti is also entered in the women’s double with Mya Bosquet. The mixed eight combines the complete men’s four of Alistair Gicqueau, Florian Ludwig, Armand Pfister and Téo Rayet with Violaine Aernoudts, Emma Cornelis, Hezekia Peron and Bosquet. Malo Jacq-Bodet will cox.
Able-bodied mixed rowing made its European Championships debut in Varese earlier this month, where Romania won the inaugural mixed double and mixed eight titles.
A Young Squad Builds Towards 2027
France will compete across seven Olympic events and two non-Olympic classes, alongside three para-rowing entries. The squad includes women’s single sculler Louise Lefebvre, men’s single sculler Victor Marcelot and last year’s world silver medallists Emma Cornelis and Hezekia Peron in the women’s pair.
The federation has described its squad as young and still developing, with Amsterdam providing international experience before Olympic and Paralympic qualification begins in 2027. The first Los Angeles 2028 quota places will be decided at next year’s World Championships on Lucerne’s Rotsee.
The 2026 championships begin on Monday, with medal racing scheduled from 27 to 30 August. World Rowing expects more than 850 athletes from 64 nations to compete across 23 boat classes.
