Otzetova heads Bulgarian Rowing

Just back from a site visit to the 2008 Olympic course in Beijing, FISA’s event director, Svetla Otzetova found out she has another role to fit into her busy schedule. Otzetova is now President of the Bulgarian Rowing Federation.

Otzetova held this position with the Federation from 1992 to 1998 before choosing to step down and become the vice-president. Now back in the top position Otzetova hopes to work on development of rowing at the club level in her country.

This position adds to Otzetova’s many roles. Late last year she became the vice-president of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee. Fortunately for Otzetova the Rowing Federation is housed in the same building in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, as the Olympic Committee giving Otzetova a level of convenience. 

Bulgaria has been on the international rowing scene since they became a member of FISA 51 years ago, but it wasn’t until the late 1960s that the country gained international recognition when they produced medal results at the European Championships. Otzetova was amongst the next wave of top Bulgarian rowers winning gold at the 1976 Olympics and then becoming a World Champion in 1978 (women’s double scull with Zdravka Yordanova).

Today Bulgaria can claim one of the top single scullers in the world. Rumyana Neykova, currently pregnant with her second child, has won two Olympic medals and twice been a World Champion.

?Rowing is one of the most popular sports in the country,? says Otzetova. ?It’s included on the government’s priority list.?

Related Links
Otzetova voted vice president
Athens site visit

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