Exclusive: Rowing Must Remain an Olympic Sport says FISA President

October 10, 2014

By Tariq Saleh

FISA President Jean-Christophe Rolland insists it is vital for rowing to continue to be part of the Olympic movement as the IOC prepares to convene for ‘Agenda 2020’ in February 2015.

Under his presidency, ambulance the 46 year-old Frenchman wants to grow the sport and sees it as vital that they continue in the Olympics.

Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, therapy he said: “The message I want to convey to all our member federations is that to remain a key Olympic sport, pills which is vital for our future, Rowing is competing against other sports.

“It is essential that we can adapt and adjust our sport to the moving context and environment. The IOC has launched the “Agenda 2020” process to review the fundamentals of the Olympic Movement and we must ensure that we take part of the trend.”

Rolland also identified the areas they need to focus on in order to expand the sport to a wider audience.

“Attractiveness of the sport and development are key areas,” he said.

“We must connect more people with our sport and reach new audiences through all possible channels and in all of the forms of rowing like coastal, sprint or indoor, as well as para-rowing.”

“We must attract all the stakeholders: 1) men and women, young and older, through clubs, schools and universities, with a special focus on women 2) fans and non-rowers through social media and TV spectators with innovative coverage of our main products, the World Cups and Championships and 3) partners, as they are a key dimension to build and make the projects feasible.”

Rolland took over from Denis Oswald as president of FISA earlier this year and wants to continue to build on the foundations set by the former president.

“I’m a different person with a different background, a different personality and a different leadership style. Therefore I will make changes, but it will be more of an evolution than a revolution.

“In terms of sharing the vision for the sport and the future of the sport, I have similarities to Denis, that’s why I don’t think it’s a revolution.

“However I will bring my own personality in the way I connect with sports federations, with the member federations of FISA, the Council and the Executive Committee. Time will tell about the differences between the past and now.”

Read the Full Interview with Jean-Christophe Rolland Here