Eton Dorney Hosts Olympic Test Event

8 August 2011, 06:00 | Updated: 8 August 2011, 12:49

Olympic officials have been at Eton's Dorney Lake testing out things like technology, timing and transport before the kayak and rowing events are held there during the 2012 games.

Almost 800 competitors from 48 countries have taken part in the World Junior Rowing Championships over the past five days at the man-made lake in Windsor.

Set in 450 acres of parkland the lake is an 8 lane course stretching more than 2 thousand metres.

Great Britain claimed two silvers in the World Junior Championships at Eton Dorney Lake as the Olympic and Paralympic rowing venue was put to the test.

The women's four were surprise second-place finishers ahead of New Zealand while the men's eight overcame Germany to win silver spurred on by a vocal home support.

GB Rowing performance director David Tanner said: "I'm very pleased with our medals. Both crews rowed to the top of their game to do that. They won silver medals against very tough opposition in both events for GB today."

The Olympic rowing and kayaking events will be held at Dorney from the 28th of July to the 11th of August 2012, and the Paralympic events from the 31st of August to the 2nd of September 2012