Latin American rowing comes together

Rowing coaches and officials from throughout South America recently gathered for a very well-attended rowing conference. The conference titled, “The new expectation of sport in view of the Olympic cycle” attracted 18 nations, the largest number of nations that has ever gathered in the continent to talk rowing.

“This is the first time a conference of this size and number of different nations has been organised,” said FISA’s Development Director Thor Nilsen.

Organised by the Mexican National Olympic Committee in coordination with the Pan American Sports Organisation, the conference was held in Mexico City.

The conference included a number of Mexican speakers who are experts in their field as well as Nilsen and talent identification expert Peter Shakespear.

Nilsen said he was pleased with the feedback especially from countries with very little rowing like Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Colombia who now all have people in training. Colombia also talked about hosting the South American Rowing Championships for the first time.

“Most of the nations plan to participate in next year’s World Cups and the under 23 championships, but at this stage there’s less chance that they will make it to the World Champs,” said Nilsen. “I have a good feeling. They really want to participate in the next Olympic qualification regatta.”

The coaches also got a chance to make valuable personal contacts with coaches from other South American countries.

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