Belarusian Para-rower Dzmitry Ryshkevich died during a training run ©myrowingphoto.com

Tributes will be paid to Belarusian Para-rower Dzmitry Ryshkevich during the World Rowing Championships, after he died in a training incident at the age of 33.

Ryshkevich capsized during a training session on Wednesday (August 21) in the build-up to the event, which begins tomorrow.

Local authorities said the 33-year-old fell into the water and disappeared from sight before he was found by rescue divers around three hours later.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident, although initial reports have blamed a broken pontoon flotation device on Ryshkevich's boat.

World Rowing is due to hold a moment of silence during tonight's Opening Ceremony, while teams competing at the event who are not present will also fall silent at 7:30pm.

A memory book for team members to write messages of condolence to Ryshkevich's family will be available at the entrance of the athlete dining tent.

Ryshkevich's body is being transported home in the company of his father, Igor, and friends to his final resting place in Lida.

The first set of heats are due to be held tomorrow at an event where qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be at stake, as well as world titles.

Martin and Valent Sinković arrive in Austria as the European champions in the men's pair and are favourites to retain their title.

The Croatian brothers have endured a tough year so far, however, owing to a combination of injury and illness.

Emma Twigg of New Zealand will make her World Championships return in the women's single sculls ©Getty Images
Emma Twigg of New Zealand will make her World Championships return in the women's single sculls ©Getty Images

Thomas Murray and Michael Brake of New Zealand, and the Australian pair of Sam Hardy and Josh Hicks, will be among those hoping to capitalise if the Sinković siblings fail to live up to their pre-event billing.

Jason Osborne and Jonathan Rommelmann of Germany will aim to continue their dominance of the lightweight men's double sculls.

The German team have won every event in which they were entered this season, including the European Championships.

Defending champions Poland will be hoping to shrug off disappointing results in the women's quadruple sculls as they bid for a second consecutive world title.

Emma Twigg of New Zealand will make her World Championships return in the women's single sculls as she goes in search of a second world crown and a place at Tokyo 2020.