Happy coincidence of the calendar. France will host on the Savoyard lake of Aiguebelette, from August 30 to September 6, 2015, one of the last major international events before the submission of applications for the Summer Games in 2024: the world rowing championships. A major sporting event, organized in a sublime setting, coupled with an opportunity to promote the Paris 2024 file. A boon for the Parisian candidacy. Jean-Jacques Mulot, the president of the French Rowing Federation (FFA), answered questions from FrancsJeux.
FrancsJeux:What do you expect from the 2015 World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette?
Jean-Jacques Mulot: These world championships represent an issue that is both popular and sporting. On a sporting level, they constitute a decisive step on the road to the Rio Games, since 85% of the Olympic quotas will be distributed in Aiguebelette. The remainder will be put into play during a qualifying regatta organized in 2016 in Poznan. We are expecting more than 80 countries at the world championships, which should represent a new participation record for the global event. We also hope to take advantage of the impact of these Worlds to develop the practice of rowing. The Federation currently has around 45.000 licensees, an increase of more or less 5% per year. The Aiguebelette effect could accelerate this progression.
Can the World Rowing Championships be a popular event?
We expect more than 30.000 spectators for the entire competition. We have made the choice, with the Savoie Mont-Blanc team in charge of the organization, of free places. A formula which met with some success at the Alpine Ski World Championships in Val d'Isère in 2009. The only exception to this policy will be a 2500-seat grandstand installed near the finish line. Places are sold for 150 euros for the entire competition, or 120 euros for the four days of finals.
What is the budget for the world championships?
It amounts to 8 to 9 million euros, including 1 million dedicated to the organization of the 2014 World Cup on the same Aiguebelette lake, which served as a bit of a dress rehearsal.
Preparation for the event has long been disrupted by the hostility of certain environmental protection associations. Can they threaten its progress?
No. The situation is now much calmer. Last Friday, the organization's accounts were voted unanimously minus one vote. The representative of the environmental protection association voted in favor. But it is important to point out that the ecologists have never had anything against the World Rowing Championships. They were only campaigning for the site to return to the way it was before, once the event was over.
The World Rowing Championships are located around ten days from the date of submission of candidatures for the 2024 Games. Will they bear the Paris 2024 brand?
Yes and no. We invited the main leaders of the Paris 2024 project: Denis Masseglia, Bernard Lapasset, Etienne Thobois, Guy Drut, Tony Estanguet… And I understand that FISA invited its IOC members, Denis Oswald and Anita DeFrantz. We will ensure, with these world championships, to show that France not only knows how to win, but also perfectly organizes the biggest international sporting events. But the presence of the Paris candidacy will not be visible in the form of a stand, for example. We do not have the right to do so.
Do you already have in mind a future application to host another international event?
We are considering applying for the European Championships, junior or senior. They could be held in Aiguebelette, of course, but also in two other more recent basins, Libourne or Gravelines.
The Paris 2024 file provides for the rowing and canoeing events in Vaires-sur-Marne. To date, what is the status of this site?
The studies are progressing well, meetings are frequent, but the work has not started. The Vaires-sur-Marne project appeared in the Paris 2012 file. After London's victory, it was said that the site would be finalized. The Region is currently showing a real desire to relaunch it, in particular Francis Parny, the vice-president in charge of sports. The Vaires-sur-Marne basin will be built, that’s a certainty.
