There is general agreement that in many parts of initiatives were in line with FISA’s goals. looking for the all-important 2015 venue. As it is the
the world, fresh, clean water will soon become a year before the Olympic Games, this championship
rare and expensive resource. Rowing is a fresh air/ “The initiative shown by the City of Chungju was its will double as the Olympic Qualification Regatta.
clean water sport and FISA places a high priority active participation in Korea’s national governmental The bid benchmark continues to rise, coupled with
on the environment such that our competitions project which aims to restore the health of its four an ever-increasing interest means there is little
can be staged even on environmentally-sensitive major rivers,” says Smith. “They are working to doubt 2015 will be a championship to look towards.
lakes with little or no negative impact on nature. revitalise the regional economies by developing
As such, all candidates are now required to comply various riverside areas and programmes for water
■ M.S. B.
fully with FISA’s requirements in respect to the leisure and cultural activities. The Tangeum Lake,
environment. The candidates should have their on which the rowing championships will be raced,
own environmental programme and must support is the source of the Han River, one of Korea’s four
FISA’s own clean water marketing initiatives. major rivers.”
Already candidates have responded positively
to the requirements of FISA in the bid process.
“Every candidate (for 2013) enjoyed the strong
support of its host city government,” says Smith.
“All accepted FISA’s recommendations in terms of
adaptations for permanent facilities to be of greater
and longer benefit to the rowing community and
all had paid a lot of attention to minimising the
environmental impact.”
Venue of the 2013 World Rowing
Championships: Tanguem Lake,
Chungju, South Korea.
