The Boat Race Company, organisers of the annual Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race, has announced that Cambridge University Boat Club has not awarded Thorsten Engelmann, a member of the 2007 winning Cambridge crew, a “Blue” for his efforts because he has subsequently left his academic course.

A “Blue” is the recognition that each sports person receives for representing Oxford or Cambridge against the other university. Rowing in The Boat Race was the first and original sport for which Blues were awarded.

Both Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Clubs operate strict criteria to ensure that the participants in the world famous Race are genuine students undertaking academic courses which they intend to complete.

Engelmann breached these criteria by leaving during the second year of his three year BA (Economics) course and, therefore, in an unprecedented action from Cambridge University Boat Club, was not put forward to the University’s Blues Committee for award. This shows a determination to focus on the post-Race as well as pre-Race eligibility.

Engelmann is now part of the German national rowing squad who have a home-based World Championships this summer in Munich which doubles as the Olympic qualifying regatta.

Giles Vardey, Chairman of the Boat Race Company Limited commented: “The organisers of the Boat Race and the University Boat Clubs are guardians of one of the greatest world-class amateur sporting events in the world. We all view very seriously any behaviour that is inconsistent with Boat Race traditions. It is our job to protect the integrity of the Race and to maintain its values of excellence and pure sporting endeavour”.