Jean-Christophe Rolland has been leading the world rowing scene since 2014, and the Frenchman still has more to offer. He confirmed that he will seek a fourth and final term at the helm of World Rowing at the end of September in Shanghai. The Sydney Olympic coxless pair champion explained this on the FI website. " This decision to represent me was carefully considered., he says. While we can rightly be proud of the progress made so far, I am also aware that there is still much to do. If elected, this final term will allow me to consolidate the foundations of a strong, stable, and ambitious future for our sport. » A future that the 56-year-old has already begun to outline in recent months.
Making rowing more attractive and readable
The World Rowing President identified three strategic priorities: “ expand our reach, improve our image, and diversify our revenue sources "The fierce competition that reigns in the world of sport leaves no room for waiting, and Jean-Christophe Rolland is aware of this. No matter how great our history, it does not guarantee our future.r, he warns. To stay ahead, we must continue to adapt and innovate. "With this in mind, the FI has decided to introduce mixed boats during its events, including the World Championships.
A way to strengthen its commitment to gender equality, but also to stick to " a broader sporting trend towards mixed events, which have proven very popular with audiences and partners across a multitude of sports and disciplines ". The competitions will thus be " more attractive to fans and broadcasters ", assures Rolland. He also advocates the elimination of the repechage system: easier competitions to follow for fans and broadcasters, optimized calendars with fewer races, reduced organizational costs for hosts. Key growth factors in today's sporting environment ", underlines the leader.
From beach sprinting to connected rowing, the same desire to innovate
Beyond these new developments, which will bear fruit in the future, the outgoing president can boast of presenting a positive balance sheet on the Olympic scene with the introduction of coastal rowing at Los Angeles 2028. “An incredible milestone”, who "gives us a responsibility", he warns: “Coastal rowing, and in particular the Beach Sprint format, represents a major opportunity for the future of the sport. We are working intensively to elevate the discipline to Olympic standards – in terms of athlete preparation, competition delivery, and promotion. We are working closely with national federations, investing in new events, and creating pathways for athletes. We are also innovating in the presentation of events to make the discipline even more spectacular and attractive to new audiences.”
The same success has been achieved in indoor rowing, which is now being taken as an example by other disciplines. “A powerful tool for the development of our sport”, because “accessible, intergenerational”, who "will allow us to reach new audiences"Jean-Christophe Rolland wants to make indoor rowing connected. "a pillar of our global strategy, with the ambition of having it recognized in major upcoming sporting events, including the eSports Olympic Games"The discipline is also a particularly interesting lever for World Rowing to establish new partnerships and diversify its financial model. “We are actively developing strategic commercial partnerships, exploring new investment avenues, and launching philanthropic efforts, all with a clear objective: to reinvest in the sport and create lasting value for our entire ecosystem. Our goal is to create a sustainable and resilient financial foundation that strengthens the global rowing community and secures the future of the sport across all disciplines.” A vision which, barring a huge surprise in September, should remain that of the federation for a few more years.
