‘A national disgrace’: Oxford rail at River Thames pollution ahead of Boat Race

Oxford’s men’s team train ahead of Saturday’s Boat Race. Photograph: Zac Goodwin/PA

The University of Oxford’s rowing coach has called the pollution in the River Thames a “national disgrace” after high levels of E coli were found on the Boat Race course.

Sean Bowden, who has coached Oxford since 1997, also admitted that the health risks could also stop the tradition of the winning cox being thrown or jumping into the river.