9 June 2023

By Göran R Buckhorn

Göran R Buckhorn is unhappy again.

The World Rowing Executive Committee decided to allow a limited number of eligible athletes, holding a Russian or Belarusian passport, to compete as individual neutral athletes in a limited number of boat classes at upcoming World Championships. The eligibility of these athletes will be determined by a number of criteria, including a background check to ensure they are not associated with, or publicly supporting, the war in Ukraine in any form, and an enhanced anti-doping control process.

So begins a statement from rowing’s international governing body World Rowing.

On 28 March, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued recommendations to organisers of international sports events “on how to authorize, under strict conditions, the reinstatement of athletes carrying Russian and Belarusian passports at their events.” The World Rowing Executive Committee has now decided to follow IOC recommendations after consulting with its Member Federations, Council members and representatives from the athletes’ community.

“Following thorough consultations with our various stakeholders, and with different opinions on this sensitive matter being expressed and discussed in detail, our Executive Committee reached a decision that aligns with our shared principles of inclusion and placing athletes at the center of our decisions,” said World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland. “It also avoids punishing rowers for the action of their governments. Facing a highly complex situation, I believe we have found a solution that allows Rowing to play its role in building bridges between people and nations”.

Based on the above, the World Rowing Executive Committee decided:

• To continue its strong support for the people and rowing community of Ukraine.
• To reaffirm its severe condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and of the support provided by Belarus.
• To reaffirm its commitment to the fundamental values of sport and the Olympic movement.

Referring to the IOC Executive Board recommendations of 28 March 2023, to authorise, under strict conditions, the reinstatement of athletes and officials carrying Russian and Belarusian passports to participate as neutrals at the following 2023 events:

The World Rowing Under 23 Championships (Plovdiv, Bulgaria)
The World Rowing Under 19 Championships (Paris, France)
The World Rowing Championships (Belgrade, Serbia)
The World Rowing Coastal Championships and Beach Sprint Finals (Barletta, Italy)

As “neutrals” means the rowers are not allowed to have flags, colours, anthems, uniforms, emblems or recognition of any sort of Russia and Belarus. Background checks will ensure that none of the neutral rowers are associated with the military or war in any form or have publicly supported the war. There will also be an “an enhanced anti-doping control process operated by an independent agency (ITA / International Testing Authority)”.

The World Rowing statement reads that World Rowing authorises, under strict conditions, the reinstatement of athletes carrying Russian and Belarussian passports at the

2023 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Paris. All events except 8+ and 4+.
2023 World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Plovdiv. 1x and 2- events only.
2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade. 1x and 2- events only including Para, LW singles only.
2023 World Rowing Coastal Championships and Beach Sprint Finals in Barletta,
– Coastal Championships: solos only
– Beach Sprint Finals, U19: solos and doubles
– Beach Sprint Finals, Seniors: solos only

GRB comment: I find it very disappointing to say the least that World Rowing has taken the decision to allow certain Russian and Belarusian rowers to compete. It must be a hard blow to the Ukrainian rowers in particular. I guess World Rowing cannot survive without IOC funding. This is the third, and probably not the last time, World Rowing bent over for IOC ruling. It is sad, really.