Strengthening global representation on the World Rowing Executive Committee 

World Rowing’s governance structure is designed to reflect the global nature of the sport. Beyond elections at Congress, the Rule Book includes specific provisions to ensure that different continents are represented at the highest decision-making level of the organisation.

Following each Summer Olympic and Paralympic cycle, members of the World Rowing Council are elected to the Executive Committee. These members are drawn from key leadership roles within the sport, including Chairs of Specialist Commissions, Continental Representatives and Co-opted Members.

However, World Rowing’s Statutes also recognise that elections alone may not always result in broad geographical representation. When fewer than three continents are represented on the Executive Committee after the Ordinary Congress, the World Rowing Council is empowered to appoint an additional member to strengthen continental balance.

It is under this provision that Ronald Chen (USA) was recently appointed to the World Rowing Executive Committee. A long-standing contributor to the sport and Chair of the World Rowing Masters Commission, Chen brings extensive experience from the global Masters Rowing community, while also reinforcing non-European representation within World Rowing’s leadership.

The appointment reflects World Rowing’s ongoing commitment to inclusive governance and to ensuring that decisions shaping the future of Rowing are informed by perspectives from across the world.