World Rowing Statement – 10 April 2021, Varese, Italy

At the 2021 European Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy, three members of the Turkish rowing federation team have tested positive for COVID-19 during the “return to home” testing yesterday (9 April), having received results today (10 April). They show no COVID symptoms. The other 17 delegation members tested negative.

Following the Varese local government’s COVID-19 response protocol, the whole delegation was immediately removed from the venue. The three positive persons have been moved to a dedicated isolation hotel, the rest of the delegation are isolating and will move to a separate hotel, and all Turkish crews have been withdrawn from the regatta.

At this stage, the Championships will continue as planned.

The event protocols and local health authority’s guidance to limit the risk of infection are being followed.

Any participants entering Italy for the Championships were required to present a negative COVID test result according to Italian regulations, which the Turkish team followed. It has been confirmed that their hotel followed all protocols for separate dining arrangements among the teams staying in this hotel, with social distancing and minimal contact with the other hotel residents.

World Rowing applies a COVID protocol at its regattas whereby all participants are required to submit a pre-event health questionnaire in which they agree to follow the local COVID transmission prevention measures; in effect, the teams are responsible for their own members and are required to minimise contact with all other teams as well as officials and volunteers. The organising committee has taken great efforts to minimise the risk of transmission among the teams through the mandatory wearing of masks (except when in the boat or dining), maintaining social distance from any others and washing or sanitising hands frequently. All team members are required to stay in their hotel at all times except when travelling in official transport to the venue, and to minimise contact at the regatta venue.

Compliance with COVID protocols at the venue are monitored continuously by the organising committee’s COVID Manager and World Rowing. We are confident that all protocols have been respected and there has not been contact between other teams and the Turkish team.

Jean-Christophe Rolland, President

Matt Smith, Executive Director

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