Update on the Russian Rowing Federation

FISA, the International Rowing Federation, has received confirmation from the Russian Rowing Federation of the next steps which will be taken to conform with the requirements of FISA and attempt to avoid a full suspension of the national federation and its rowers.

In a letter received last week, the current Russian Rowing Federation President Alexander Popov and Liudmila Saraeva, Executive Secretary, confirm that the members of the governance committee of the federation have resigned effective from 15 February 2008. In the meantime, Mr. Alexander Shitov, currently Vice President, shall continue carrying out the current financial and economic activities until the election conference. The date for their extraordinary election conference has now been set for 29 March 2008 in the offices of the Russian Olympic Committee in Moscow. This will take place under the supervision of a working group lead by former FISA Vice President Leonid Drachevsky. Drachevsky will be supported in his task by two representatives of the Russian Olympic Committee, two representatives of the Russian Federal Agency on Physical Training and Sports, a representative of the Russian Olympic Committee Athlete’s Commission and finally by Mr Yurij Pimenov, Russia’s well known pairs rower throughout the 80s and 90s.

As already stated on 14 February, FISA shall delay any further decision on the fate of the Russian Rowing Federation until the Executive Committee is satisfied that the new elections were conducted to satisfaction and with the right outcome.

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