Jean-Christophe Rolland, Olympic champion in 2000 in Sydney, experienced his first world championships in Amsterdam as president of the International Rowing Federation (FISA). Twelve months almost to the day after being chosen to succeed the Swiss Denis Oswald. In the Netherlands, he answered questions from FrancsJeux.
FrancsJeux: How did you experience your first world championships in the costume of FISA president?
Jean-Christophe Rolland: I experienced them very intensely. You have to give a lot, but I'm still in a phase where I have to learn. President, this cannot be decreed.
How have you spent your first 12 months at the helm of world rowing? What were your priorities?
We must distinguish two things: work within rowing, and work outside it. In the first, I mainly tried to go deeper into the issues, to meet the presidents of the federation, to create relationships at the political level. I took advantage of every travel opportunity to get in touch with our member countries. Outside of rowing, I tried to connect our sport as much as possible with the rest of the sporting movement, to defend it and give it weight. I was everywhere, at SportAccord, at the ASOIF meetings, at the IOC session in Sochi… I had to meet people, make myself known. My approach is following its course in a serene and structured manner. I advance.
The 2020 agenda initiated by Thomas Bach, the president of the IOC, wishes to modify the Olympic program. Is rowing under threat?
Having worked in the nuclear industry, I know that the biggest risk is to think that there are no risks. Today, we can no longer rely on our values alone in the context of international sport. There is currently legitimate pressure from other sports to enter the Games. With 550 rowers, rowing is the 3rd Olympic sport in terms of number of participants. So we are a target. We must not wait, but anticipate and have a strategy. We must not react with the knife to our throat.
How to react?
We conducted an in-depth study of the London Games in 2012. It pinpointed two weaknesses: universality and diversity. We need to increase the number of countries flying. On a world map, we are missing two geographic areas: the Caribbean and Oceania. Two regions where we can connect more rowers thanks, in particular, to sea rowing. As for gender parity, it can be achieved by raising awareness among national federations. We must take a step forward in the feminization of world rowing.
How do you plan to improve the rowing “product”, making it more attractive and more spectacular?
We are already working on it a lot, with the desire to better serve spectators, viewers, partners and the media. In Amsterdam, for example, the public at the world championships were able to enjoy a fan zone, large screens, animations, a partners' village... For television, we increased the quality of image production in working with specialists, always the same. We have invested in the presentation of the races, bringing in professionals for commentary and presentation of the medal ceremonies. We are also developing new events, City Sprints, organized in the heart of large cities. My leitmotif, since my election, is to increase our community to have more weight. This is why we are going to arrive at the World Games and why we are discussing to be part of the Beach Games and the Urban Games.
Several international federations have expressed their concern about the progress of work in Rio before the Games. What is the preparation of the rowing site like?
In Rio, we will benefit from the most beautiful location that we could hope for at the Games. We are serene. Rowing is not the sport that has the most to worry about. But there is no time to lose. The test event is planned in a year, we must move forward on several issues, including the finish tower and the capacity to accommodate spectators, because the stands will be floating. I'm not worried, but we remain vigilant.
You are leading one of the working groups of the opportunity study currently carried out by the French sports movement on a Paris candidacy for the 2024 Summer Games. Will it be favorable?
It's still early to say, but things are moving in the right direction. This study is very enriching. In my working group, dedicated to media and partners, we had very fruitful sessions. French sport has some experience, it might be time to use it.
