President Denis Oswald looks back

World Rowing: What is your proudest achievement during your time as president?

Denis Oswald: The development and increase in the number of national federations in rowing and the practice of rowing in different parts of the world. When I started there were 67 national federations, now there are 142. For me this was my goal from the beginning – the universality of the sport.

One of the means to achieve this was adding lightweight rowing to the programme of the Olympic Games. This was one of the most difficult tasks that I had. When I visited Asia, especially South East Asia and Latin America and asked them why they did not support rowing, they said ‘we have no chance with our smaller, lighter people, so we don’t treat rowing as an Olympic sport.’

I saw lightweight rowing as a way to get more countries involved. But among the IOC (International Olympic Committee) a lot of people were against it because they were not prepared to make an exception for rowing in weight categories. There was also opposition within FISA because if lightweight rowing was added to the Olympic programme it would mean we would have to eliminate heavyweight events. At the 1993 Congress I had to convince national federations. I needed a 2/3 majority. I fought hard for that. For example, I studied the average weight of the world population. Lightweights equalled 70 per cent of the world. I was able to convince national federations that our sport could not ignore so many people. I needed 100 votes and I just got it.

I was proud recently in London at the Olympics when a British coach stopped me and said, ‘When you presented your idea about lightweights, I spoke against it. Even after so many years, I’d like to say that I was wrong, you were right. You had a vision and we didn’t realise it was for the good of rowing worldwide.’

WR: Do you have a favourite race or event during your time as president?

DO: There’s been quite a number. The fifth medal of Redgrave was terrific. The men’s pair at the 2000 Olympics with Jean-Christophe Rolland (FISA’s president-elect) as well.

WR: Being president demanded a lot of travel, have you ever worked out how much you did?

DO: It’s not so easy to work out as I also travelled for the IOC and ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations). I think I was on the road a total of four months every year.

WR: How did you balance this and all of your roles?

DO: In addition I also had a full-time job and my activities for FISA and the IOC was nearly another full-time job. I have a good working capacity and I used all weekends and most evenings. I would be working 13-14 hours a day to be able to do what I had to do.

I’ve been used to this because when I was studying I was also competing (in rowing). To study and train to be at the top you need a lot of time, so I’d combine time. This meant not much leisure time, so my life was a bit different to the ones of my friends. I can’t tell you when the last time I went to the cinema or a concert.

I dedicated all of my available time to these activities. But when you’re passionate it never felt like it was a burden because I liked to do it.

WR: Do you have methods you use to balance this busy life?

DO: I try to practice sports regularly. Some years ago it was rowing, erging and running, but now with back problems it’s mainly cycling. Especially after long trips the best way to recuperate is to go to the gym and cycle for an hour.

I’ve developed the capacity to work everywhere, for example while I’m cycling or on a plane. I make use of all possible minutes to do all the different jobs that are necessary. I can change time zones easily, probably because I am used to working long hours and am seldom in bed before midnight. So I’m always in need of sleep.

WR: With all of your experiences, who would you consider the most amazing person you have met?

DO: The most impressive was Nelson Mandela. I met him three times and one time when I was in the IOC Evaluation Commission for Cape Town, we got to spend an hour with him and speak personally. The day before we had been at Robben Island and visited his cell and saw where he had to work (while incarcerated). The next day we met Mandela. He had no thoughts of revenge. He said, ‘We have to look to the future and sport is possibly the only thing that can bring communities together. It’s something they can share.’ His attitude to peace and not going after revenge was an amazing attitude. He was really an impressive person.

WR: Have you had the opportunity to connect with the younger rowers?

DO: I’ve always tried to keep in contact with athletes. I’ve been to some training camps and the athletes appreciate it. It reinforced the fact that we, especially as former athletes, want to do the best for our sport. When I was presenting the medals in Chungju (2013 World Rowing Championships) one week before the election for IOC presidency, one of the athletes wished me good luck for the election. I was really moved.

Sometimes athletes don’t care about the officials, but I think we have a strong connection (in rowing between officials and athletes) compared with other sports.

WR: What has been your favourite part of the presidential role?

DO: Meeting people, meeting athletes, going to countries where we can help develop the sport.

WR: Twenty-five years is a significant length of time, did you imagine back in 1989 that you would be the president for that period?

DO: I always said I should not stay too long, but things develop differently. At the beginning I said I was prepared to do two to three terms, so about 12 years maximum. With my 12 years as secretary general before I took over as president, it would have been  24 years and now it is 37 year. I thought 12 years was a good length of time to do the role efficiently because to do something takes time when dealing with federations around the world and only meeting a limited number of times a year. Also if you want to get feedback from athletes you have to go through the national federations, who go to the clubs, who then go to the rowers.

The main reason why I stayed longer was that I informed the FISA Board to look for a successor. I don’t think they were looking very seriously as they saw me as still young.  So in spite of efforts on my side, they said they couldn’t find someone better. Also I was elected as an IOC member in 1991 and also ASOIF, so everyone saw that as good for rowing to have these connections.

WR: And your decision that it was time to leave?

DO: FISA had an age limit in the statutes of 65, so I had prepared myself to leave. In the meantime the rule has changed to 70. I started at 30 as the secretary general, so I saw no reason to go to the end of the maximum term of 70 years old and I had been looking around for several years to make sure we found a successor who had the capabilities and experience to continue what had been started. I wanted to be able to train the future president to his/her new tasks and introduce him/her to the various sport organisations he/she would have to deal with. I felt it was my responsibility  that my successor did not have to start from scratch.

Also it’s always better to go when you’re still wanted.

WR: Will you stay involved in rowing now?

DO: If I can I will continue to serve rowing. It will depend on circumstances and needs. But I will not be around  too much to make sure the new president takes the lead. It’s important to also be a good past-president.

WR: Is there anything that you would like to add?

DO: I enjoyed my time (as president), but it’s like training for an athlete. You don’t enjoy it every day, but you still do it because overall you like it and it brings you something globally. There’s been difficulties, but the enjoyable parts are much bigger.

I appreciated the people who were with me on the Council and Commissions, staff and especially Matt (FISA Executive Director Matt Smith). He’s been fantastic support. We can be very happy to have his dedication and loyalty. We are lucky to have committed people and a great relationship with the national federations and the rowers.

We have a fantastic spirit, something no other sport has to the same extent.