World Rowing and Japan Sports Council engage over 15 000 participants in innovative Indoor Rowing activation at the Paris 2024 Olympics

World Rowing and the Japan Sports Council partnered to bring a cutting-edge Indoor Rowing experience to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, engaging over 15 000 participants at the TEAM JAPAN HOUSE.

Located at the Maison de la Culture du Japon, in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, the TEAM JAPAN HOUSE served as a dynamic hospitality house where visitors could immerse themselves in Japanese culture and celebrate the athletic achievements of Japanese Olympians. Amidst this celebration, the Indoor Rowing activation by World Rowing and the Japan Sports Council stood out, offering participants a unique opportunity virtually navigates the iconic Tokyo 2020 Sea Forest Waterway course.

Powered by Concept2 Rowing Machines and the EXR Rowing app, this activation offered far more than a simple workout – it was an immersive experience bringing the legacy of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to life in the heart of Paris.

Participants of all ages enjoyed a full-body, low-impact workout that underscores the lifelong benefits of Indoor Rowing. Leveraging the Sea Forest Course, the activation seamlessly linked the Tokyo 2020 Olympic legacy with the ongoing global trend of at-home fitness, fuelled by innovative technology.

States Vincent Gaillard, Executive Director World Rowing: “This activation showcases excitement and accessibility at the heart of Indoor Rowing, combining advanced technology with an immersive experience for all Rowers, regardless of age, fitness level, or background. Our partnership with the Japan Sports Council continues to evolve, reinforcing our shared commitment to make physical exercise in virtual environment engaging for all on an international scale.”

A Commitment to Lifelong Sport

The success of this activation highlights the growing appeal of Indoor Rowing as a sport that transcends age and cultural barriers. By combining cutting-edge technology with the rich tradition of Rowing, World Rowing and the Japan Sports Council demonstrated their commitment to playing sports more accessible and engaging for a global audience. The activation served as a testament to the potential of virtual sports to inspire and connect people across different cultures and generations.

Comments Kukidome Takeshi, Vice President of Japan Sport Council: “We are thrilled to showcase the virtual rowing experience during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 as part of our dedicated efforts to enhance the legacy of the Tokyo 2020 Games. This initiative aligns with the international joint research MOU we signed with our strategic partner, World Rowing, last November.

This innovative sport is open to people of all ages throughout the event. We firmly believe this approach not only provides training opportunities for elite athletes but also offers children, seniors, and individuals with less mobility the chance to engage in sports, thereby contributing to the enhancement of overall life performance.

Next month in October, the Sports Day Festival is scheduled to be held in Tokyo. This event commemorates the legacy of the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964. On the day, 15,000 parents and children are expected to participate. We will take this valuable opportunity to offer a virtual rowing experience and further build on this momentum.

Furthermore, we look forward to deepening our collaboration with World Rowing and advance international joint research to the next phase.”

A Growing Partnership on the Global Stage

This event marks another significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between World Rowing and the Japan Sports Council, which has been focused on lifelong health and fitness – integrating traditional sports with modern technology. The activation at the Paris 2024 Olympics exemplified this vision, offering a glimpse into how sports can evolve to meet the needs of a diverse and digitally connected world. This activation serves as a powerful example of how Olympic Legacy and technological innovation can come together to create memorable and impactful experiences. Moving forward, both organizations are committed to continuing their collaboration, with plans to explore new innovations that will further enhance the global sports experience.

About World Rowing
World Rowing is the governing body of the sport of Rowing. It is empowered by its 159-member National Rowing Federations. World Rowing sets the rules and regulations for the practice of the sport in all its forms, including Classic Rowing, Coastal Rowing, and Indoor Rowing. World Rowing oversees sanctioned events and provides advice and expertise for the organization of Rowing regattas. The Federation also works on coaching education and other matters relating to the sport and its development.

About the Japan Sports Council
Established in 2003, the Japan Sports Council is the national agency responsible for the promotion of sports in Japan. The Japan High Performance Sport Centre (HPSC) within the JSC consists of the Japan Institute of Sports Sciences (JISS) and National Training Centres (NTC), and closely works with the Japanese Olympic Committee and Japanese Paralympic Committee.

HPSC is a centre established to contribute to the enhancement of high-performance sports for both Olympic and Paralympic sports at home and abroad by providing research, support, and advanced scientific training environments, based on sports medicine, science, and information possessed by JISS and NTC. We set forth the concept “from High Performance to Life Performance,” as it is important to widely deploy knowledge gained in the area of high performance to society.