Athletes' Commission elections: A chance for athletes to use their voices

The 2026 World Rowing Championships mark a chance for flat water rowers to have their say on who represents them on the World Rowing Athletes’ Commission.

Elections for the body are held every four years, halfway through the Olympic cycle. There are 19 candidates standing for the four classic rowing positions up for election this time around – with elections kicking off on Thursday 27 August.

A second election will be held at the 2026 World Rowing Coastal Championships and Beach Sprint Finals in Qingdao, China, in October, to elect the coastal rowing representative to the commission.

The Athletes Commission consists of 10 members, including at least one para-rowing and one coastal rowing representative, and serves as a liaison between active national team rowers and World Rowing.

It engages with projects designed to support and protect clean athletes, on and off the water; supports communication from World Rowing back to the athlete community; and seeks feedback from athletes on rules, regulations, and events to inform the future direction of the sport.

Half of the 10 positions on the commission are elected by athletes, and half are recommended to the World Rowing Council by the Athletes’ Commission Election and Appointment Committee, which is constituted at the start of the relevant election year and oversees the election process.

This year’s election committee is chaired by Lenka Dienstbach-Wech and its members include Ronald Chen, Mehdi Garidi, Guin Batten and Frida Svensson. Svensson is the outgoing chair of the Athletes’ Commission.

“The Athletes’ Commission is the athletes’ voice in our organisation at the highest level. The AC election is an important opportunity for you to elect who you want to be representing you,” said Svensson.

“I encourage every eligible athlete to take the time to learn about and become familiar with this year’s candidates, what matters to you, and ensure your voice is being heard. A strong Athletes’ Commission starts with athletes being engaged and taking part in the process.

“World Rowing keeps the athlete in the centre of our decision-making process – make sure you are a part of it.”

Every athlete competing at the 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam has the right to vote in person between Thursday 27 and Saturday 29 August.

The list of candidates can be found here.