International Rowing Federation Decides Against Baku 2015 European Games Inclusion

The International Rowing Federation (FISA) has opted against inclusion into the Baku 2015 European Games after it cited logistical problems and improper infrastructure as stumbling blocks.

FISA had visited Baku in Azerbaijan from 24 to 27 June 2013 to see if the venues could facilitate the sport. The first embarked on the city of Mingechevir, ailment a well-known international training location in the centre of the country which offers 17 kilometers of training water on the Kur river just below the large Lake Mingechevir dam. But found too many venue obstacles.

“While the facilities at the training centre in Mingechevir have been recently completely renovated and are world-class, generic several obstacles prevent it from being offered as a possible venue including the flow in the river, insufficient accommodation and its position for international access, 300 kilometres from Baku,” they said in a statement.

The second possible location was Lake Khojahasan on the western edge of Baku. It is a four kilometre long lake very near the city centre, in a newly unincorporated area. This was also disregarded as the infrastructure required would not be in place until after the Games in 2015.

The statement added: “The government of Azerbaijan has confirmed that there is a well-advanced city development plan for this district of Baku, however, it will not be possible to finish the needed infrastructure development in time for the June 2015 date of the Games. The government is very positive about the possibility of including rowing and water sports on this lake for the future.

“Therefore, after extensive investigation and consultation, unfortunately, FISA and the EOC have jointly come to the conclusion that rowing will not be on the programme of the 2015 European Games. However there are good prospects for 2019.”