THE wait for their Olympic assignment ends for Ireland’s oarsmen this morning when the Olympic Regatta gets under way at Schinias.

The International Olympic Committee has backed Greek organisers of the 2004 games over plans to build a rowing venue near the ancient battleground of Marathon.

Environmentalists are planning a major protest campaign to stop Athens 2004 organizers from building an Olympic rowing centre on marshlands next to the ancient battleground of Marathon.