Record Entry at 2007 World Rowing Championships

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 A total of 1285 athletes racing in 474 crews will take part in the pinnacle event of the 2007 rowing season. 

This unusually high entry is due to several factors, according to FISA President Denis Oswald: “Participation was always going to be high at this year’s World Rowing Championships as this is the 2008 Beijing Olympic qualification event. The addition of “Paralympic” rowing has added to this total as well. Munich’s Organising Committee has made available free accommodation and meals for 150 rowers from “developing” countries which is a huge help. The venue in Munich is much appreciated among rowers; it is conveniently located for international travellers and offers great permanent facilities.”

The World Rowing season so far has been marked by the success of China. Chinese rowing took 5 medals at the first Rowing World Cup regatta and 10 medals at the second Rowing World Cup regatta this season. With the results of the Junior Championships last week, this could be the season of Chinese rowing’s great leap forward. As this nation prepares for next year’s Olympic Games, all eyes will be on those Chinese crews at the World Rowing Championships.

The biggest team will be from the USA with 88 athletes. Germany will represent their country on home water with 85 rowers. Great Britain and Italy also bring big teams with 78 and 77 athletes respectively.

Thor Nilsen, FISA’s Development Director indicated that he is very satisfied with the progress in universality over the past Olympiad. Good results can be expected from Cuba, Argentina and Chile which have been part of the development programme for several years now. It is a first time participation for Macedonia at this level and it is also very good to have Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan taking part in Munich. Many countries will also use this event as a first chance to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games, despite their regional qualifying events being held later this year or in early 2008.

Adaptive rowing is also high on the agenda this year. All four existing adaptive boat classes will be represented, and 62 crews have entered – an impressive 50 per cent increase over 2006 participation.

The Opening Ceremony for the 2007 World Rowing Championships will take place on Saturday 25 August at 18:00 hrs CET. Racing begins on Sunday 26 August at 9:30 hrs. with A Group heats.

Semifinals and A Finals will be broadcast on several channels world-wide including ARD/ZDF (Germany), Eurosport, BBC (Great Britain), F2/F3 (France), Estonian TV, RAI (Italy), CT4 (Czech Republic), NRK (Norway), SLO2 (Slovenia), Belarus, NOS (the Netherlands), Russia (RTR), Romania, Sky New Zealand, CBC Canada, Fox Sport Australia, CCTV China. Check local TV listings for exact broadcast times.

The event semifinals and finals will be video streamed live on Thursday 30 and Friday 31 August as well as on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September and can be accessed through the www.worldrowing.com website.

A full World Rowing Championships event by event preview will be available on www.worldrowing.com from next week.

Entries and race schedule are available on www.worldrowing.com from today.