Call for nominations: 2025 World Rowing Awards

The World Rowing Awards are an annual celebration of the best in international Rowing, keeping a legacy of excellence and recognising the achievements of athletes, coaches, and individuals who have contributed to shaping this sport.

Hosted virtually since the pandemic, the World Rowing Awards were awarded live on stage last year in a festive evening environment, in the city centre of Seville. Following on the success of that ceremony last year, the 2025 World Rowing Awards will again be staged live, in the Olympic Capital of Lausanne, Switzerland.

The 2025 World Rowing Awards ceremony, set to be held on Saturday, 24 January 2026, will see eight awards be presented. Nominations are already open for four of them :

• The Thomas Keller Medal award, the highest distinction in the sport of Rowing. It is awarded to recognise an exceptional international rowing career as well as exemplary sportsmanship and legendary aspects.

Any retired rower (not more than 5 years) who has had a long and successful career in the rowing field, and who has made an important contribution to rowing as a competitor but also as a sport personality, is intitled to be nominated for this award.

In principle, only one medal may be awarded in any one year.

For more information click here. To nominate click on the link here: https://worldrowingforms.wufoo.com/forms/xfwzl6v0mb686z/ 

• The Distinguished Services to International Rowing award, recognising an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of international Rowing.

Nominees are considered based on their contribution to the sport made through grass-roots development, involvement in the organisation of large rowing events and long-term service to Rowing.

For more information click here. To nominate click on the link here: https://worldrowingforms.wufoo.com/forms/xtvmtav1hodx4c/

• The “Rowing Programme of the Year” award, underscoring World Rowing’s commitment to expanding the international Rowing community, involving clubs, schools and universities more deeply, and highlighting their crucial role in developing the sport.

For more information click here. To nominate click on the link here: https://worldrowingforms.wufoo.com/forms/xa28fy918x5777/

• The “Artistic Contribution of the Year” award, highlighting the intersection of athleticism and creativity, celebrating works that may include visual arts, music, literature, still or moving images, or any other artistic medium that reflects the spirit and beauty of Rowing.

For more information click here. To nominate click on the link here. https://worldrowingforms.wufoo.com/forms/x12hjpz81si61t8/

Please submit your artwork at media@worldrowing.com.

The nominations for these four new awards are now open, until 15 November. Nominations for the remaining awards (Men’s Crew of the Year, Women’s Crew of the Year, Para Crew of the Year, Coach of the Year,) will open on October 1st.

For any questions, please contact media@worldrowing.com.