07 Dec 2011
Ready for Action: Schinias Welcomes first Boat
Looking towards Athens 2004 – the Schinias rowing course
The Schinias Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Centre can now be declared ready for action as the first rowing boat took to its waters for an inaugural row late last week. Athens 2004 Rowing Competition Manager and former World Championships medallist Vassilis Lykomitros paired up with Acting Venue Manager Fotis Skountzos to be the first rowers on the course that will be the stage for Olympic medals in 2004.
And how does that feel? “As a former competitive rower I was very happy to row on such a high level course in Greece. As a Competition Manager I felt relief that the course preparations are moving forward!” says Lykomitros.
Excavation for 2004 Olympic rowing course, based on the same model as the Sydney Olympic rowing course in Penrith, began in November of 2000 and has been filled with water from the nearby Makaria springs.
Work still needs to be done before Schinias can offer the conditions necessary for competition but Lykomitros is confident that all will go to plan. “In two to two and a half months the finish tower, the permanent grandstand and most probably the boat houses will be completed and the albano buoy system will be installed by June 15th.” he said.
On May 31st rowers from the Athenian rowing clubs will make the 50 km trip to Schinias with their boats for an open house that will also allow all Athens Olympic Organising Committee (ATHOC) employees a chance for a row on the new seaside course.
The 2003 World Rowing Junior Championships are to take place at Schinias in August of this year and will serve as a test event for the Olympic regatta the following year.