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Despite boasting three Olympic champions, Australia's men's coxed eight have some ground to make up as they chase a first gold medal in the event.

Australia's stacked men's eight crew have some ground to make up after being forced into the Olympic repechage round in Paris.

The crew includes three Olympic champions in a bid to finally secure the gold medal in the blue riband event.

With 13 gold medals, Australia has enjoyed plenty of Games success but silvers in Mexico in 1968 and Sydney in 2000 is the best they have managed in the men's eight.

Jack Hargreaves, Spencer Turrin and Alex Purnell - who were part of the crew that won Olympic gold in the coxless four in Tokyo three years ago - were drafted into the bigger boat for Paris.

But they have some work to do, finishing more than five seconds behind Great Britain in their Monday (local time heat at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium course.

Competing in the other heat, the United States crew made a statement as they edged the Netherlands, with only first place moving directly into the final.

The Americans' time was over seven seconds quicker than the Brits, showing they will be the country to beat.

In the women's coxed eight the Australians also finished second in their heat behind Great Britain and will contest Thursday's (local time) repechage round.

Australia has also never won a women's eight gold medal.

Romania were the pace-setters across the field, winning their heat from the USA by more than six seconds.

But eight of Romania's rowers are doubling up in other events so went all out to directly qualify into the final.

There was disappointment in the women's quad scull in their repechage race, finishing third to miss the medal race.

The misery continues for the Australian men's pair of Simon Keenan and Patrick Holt with the duo crossing last in their repechage to be eliminated from the competition.