World Para-rowing Championships: Belarus para-rower dies after capsizing in training

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Dzmitry RyshkevichImage source, Detlev Seyb/myrowingphoto
Image caption,

Dzmitry Ryshkevich was training for possible qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

A Belarus para-rower died on Wednesday after capsizing during training before the World Championships.

World Rowing said a rescue boat with a lifeguard reacted immediately in Austria but 33-year-old Dzmitry Ryshkevich, who competed in the PR1 single sculls, disappeared from sight.

Rescue divers found Ryshkevich's body about three hours later.

World Rowing's executive director Matt Smith said "full details" would be reported after a police investigation.

Ryshkevich, who was training before the Championships, which start on 25 August, took up para-rowing in 2013 and competed at two previous World Championships.

British Rowing said it was "extremely saddened" by Ryshkevich's passing.

Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee, said he was "absolutely stunned".

"We are all shocked at this news and at this time the thoughts of the whole Paralympic movement are with the family, friends, team-mates of the athlete and with our colleagues at the National Paralympic Committee of Belarus," he said.

"I will be writing today to Oleg Chepel, the President of NPC Belarus, to offer my prayers and sympathies following this accident and also send my thoughts to members of the close-knit rowing community who must all be devastated at this news."