Two men returned from the 1988 podium to medal again in 1992: Dimitrie Popescu of Romania and Hendrik Reiher of the former East German team.

[2] East Germany had been dominant prior to the reunification of Germany, winning gold at the 1980 and 1988 Olympics (missing 1984 due to the Soviet-led boycott) and winning 8 of the 11 World Championships from 1977 to 1990 (with a second and third place finish as well).

Germany won the only World Championship between reunification and the Games, in 1991, and was favoured in Barcelona.

The coxed four event featured five-person boats, with four rowers and a coxswain.

The winner of each heat (2 boats total) advanced directly to the "A" final to compete for medals and 4th through 6th place.