10 Jul 2019
The Commemoration Regatta for the completion of the Sea Forest Waterway in Tokyo
The Sea Forest Waterway Regatta Couse, which is the venue for 2019 FISA World Rowing Junior Championships, 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Regatta and 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games Regatta was completed at the end of May this year. The Commemoration Regatta for the completion of the Sea Forest Waterway was held on 16th June, Sunday, 2019. The Regatta also celebrated the 100th anniversary of Japan Rowing Association.
The Regatta was preceded by an Opening Ceremony marking the completion of the Sea Forest Waterway The Ceremony conducted by Tokyo Metropolis (10:00-11:00), included FISA President Jean-Christoph Rolland congratulatory message. Also, during the Ceremony, there was a demonstration row including every kind of boat-type.
The Regatta consists of 2 categories of races: 500 meter and 2,000 meter in distance. In the 500 meter race, 26 crews including Masters, Elementary School, Junior High School, High School, University, Club and Olympian athletes rowed by 1x, 2x, 4x+, 8+ and KF. In 2,000m, 11 crews representing U19 national team, University and Club athletes rowed by 1x, 2x, 4x, 4x+ and 8+.
One of the great pleasures of the regatta was the participation of Oxford & Cambridge University Alumni crews. The participation of the two world famous Universities Alumni crews helped to make the regatta a success. All the spectators, the number of which was officially announced to be 4,250, enjoyed their exciting performance at 500m sprint and 2,000m races.
Now, we have to move toward 2019 World Rowing Junior Championships and Tokyo 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Games Regattas at this brand-new Rowing Course. Experience gained in the Commemoration Regatta would be helpful to the upcoming two big events.
[Reference] https://www.2020games.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/taikaijyunbi/taikai/kaijyou/kaijyou_14/index.html