Rowing is a big feature of the Olympics, with different boats racing over 2km to win gold. 

There are loads of events, ranging from scull to sweep, and singles to eights. 

However, did you know there are also different weight categories in rowing?

With the normal events best suited to tall, long limbed individuals, the lightweight event offers an alternative for those who are slightly smaller. 

As the GB women's lightweight double prepare to row in the Olympic final, here's everything you need to know about the event and their shot at gold. 

What is lightweight rowing? 

Lightweight rowing is a special category for which athletes have to be a certain weight. 

In the women's Olympic event, the crew average on race day must be 57kg, while for the men it is 70kg. 

Athletes are weighed before they race and if they are over the specified weight, they will be disqualified. 

There is only one event each for lightweight women and men at the Olympics: the lightweight double sculls. 

Sculling is when the rowers have two blades instead of one, which is the case in sweep rowing. 

Lightweight rowing was first introduced to the Olympics in 1996, in an attempt to "to encourage more universality in the sport especially among nations with less statuesque people", as according to the International Rowing Federation (FISA). 

However, the event has come under threat in recent years, and was almost removed entirely from the programme for the 2024 Olympics. 

Although it will be included in Paris, the future of lightweight rowing post the French games remains uncertain, with potential for it to be replaced with coastal rowing, a vastly different event.  

Who are the GB women's lightweight double?

Imogen Grant and Emily Craig represent Great Britain in the lightweight double and will race for gold in their final on Thursday morning, at 2:10am UK time.

Grant is studying medicine at Cambridge, while Craig is a University of London alumni. 

The double were second in their heat and won their semi, pipping France to the line. 

Great Britain won the lightweight women's double at London 2012, a success this year's team will look to replicate. 

The GB rowing team has so far not seen the glory to which they have become accustomed, however medal hopes remain over the coming days.