The United States earned women's eight gold at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

A task force has been established by USRowing to review and analyse their high performance system following the conclusion of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The task force will be co-chaired by Kris Thorsness, a member of the Olympic gold medal winning women’s eight team from Los Angeles 1984, and Sydney 2000 lightweight sculls bronze medallist Christine Collins.

The United States earned two rowing medals Rio 2016, with their women’s eight providing the highlight of the country’s regatta by storming to gold.

Gevvie Stone then secured a silver medal in the men’s singles sculls event.

"The conclusion of the Olympic cycle provides a natural opportunity to assess our position in the world and reset our goals while the team is in transition before the next cycle starts in full," said Glenn Merry, USRowing chief executive.

"This is the first time in a decade that we have done a full review of how we approach the national team programs, and a lot has changed in those 10 years.

"We want to ensure USRowing is best positioned to fully engage all of our strengths in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020."

Sydney 2000 bronze medallist Christine Collins, right, will co-chair the USRowing task force ©Getty Images
Sydney 2000 bronze medallist Christine Collins, right, will co-chair the USRowing task force ©Getty Images

The task force will assess USRowing’s structures, resources and policies, before producing a report which outlines findings and recommendations.

Their report will include a series of performance markers for the next four years, with the document due to be presented to the USRowing Board of Directors and chief executive in December.

Olympic bronze medallists Mike Teti, Megan Kalmoe and Charlie Cole have all been included as members of the task force, along with Rio 2016 Olympian Meghan O’Leary.

Expertise will also be provided by Megan Cooke Carcagno, Larry Gluckman, Gregg Hartsuff and Jamie Koven.

USRowing claim the task force is comprised of a broad spectrum of respected individuals with relevant rowing backgrounds, including elite and collegiate coaches, national team athletes and members of their High Performance Committee.

"This is a fantastic assembly of individuals who care deeply about high performance rowing, the success of our team and the future of our athletes," said Erin O’Connell, chair of USRowing’s Board of Directors.

"I am so pleased that each of them agreed to serve and am thankful for their commitment."