The 2025 Boat Race crews are set for April 13, with Cambridge and Oxford backing the London Rivers’ Pledge to clean up the Thames. However, controversy surrounds Cambridge after three rowers were disqualified over their PGCE status, prompting a legal challenge.
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00:00The crews for this year's boat race between Cambridge and Oxford have been announced with
00:08the world-renowned event taking place on the River Thames on Sunday April the 13th. The
00:16women and men's crews were revealed at Battersea Power Station on the 26th of March alongside
00:22the University's joint commitment to the London Rivers Pledge. This initiative led by Mayor
00:28Sadiq Khan aims to clean up London's waterways after last year's race was marred by contamination
00:35including e-coli and sewage. Several rowers fell ill from the polluted water last year
00:43with one Oxford competitor commenting that it would be nicer if the water was actually
00:48half clean. The 10-year London Rivers Pledge is a vital part of efforts to improve the
00:55capital's rivers, making them safer for rowing and recreational activities. With improvements
01:02to the city's air quality already underway, work is now focused on cleaning up the Thames
01:08and other waterways to ensure they are accessible and safe for all. However, this year's boat
01:15race has been surrounded by controversy. Cambridge University faces backlash after three of its
01:23rowers, Matt Hayward, Molly Foxall and Kate Crowley, were disqualified. The reason, they
01:29were working towards a postgraduate certificate in education instead of a traditional degree.
01:39Oxford's Boat Club filed a complaint arguing the PGCE was not equivalent to a degree and
01:45an independent panel upheld the ruling. Despite these disputes, the boat race remains one
01:52of the most prestigious sporting events on the London calendar, with both universities
01:58now focused on preparation. The event continues to spotlight the Thames and the ongoing work
02:06to improve the river's water quality remains crucial as both teams race towards the historic
02:13event.