Its long-standing presence in the Olympic scene, marked by a continuous presence at the Games since the 1900 edition in Paris, makes it one of the movement's historic figures. But rowing prefers to look to the future rather than contemplate its past. With one fixed idea: the diversity of its practices. And, by extension, that of its participants.
An illustration of this desire: the presence of two World Rowing representatives at the smartcities & sport Summit in Seoul, during a session dedicated to eSports. Juliette Duchemin, manager of indoor rowing, and Filip Ljubicic, president of the commission dedicated to this indoor sport, spoke at length from World Rowing headquarters in Lausanne. They detailed the strategy of an international federation determined to demonstrate that rowing is now, to borrow Filip Ljubicic's expression, " much more than sitting in a boat and getting into the water ».
Reach all levels, including the general public
Rowing was already featured at the first edition of the World Urban Games, in Budapest in 2019, via an ergometer competition. Since then, World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland, re-elected last month for a fourth four-year term, has accelerated its pace. Objective: to attract and involve new generations.
How? Multiple answers. The first and most immediate option: indoor rowing. A staple of the discipline, always present in clubs around the world as an alternative to practicing on the water. In the virtual age, World Rowing has made it a major focus of its development policy. Paris hosted the first World Rowing Indoor Championships in 2020.
feedback on session 6
— smartcities & sport (@smartCTandsport) October 21, 2025
From virtual sports arenas to hybrid competitions, we explored how technology is transforming the amateurs' access to sports and how the athletes compete.
The future of sport is certainly more connected than ever.#SmartCTandSport #Summit2025 pic.twitter.com/WatdqHJ3kw
« A laboratory, explains Juliette Duchemin, to reach all levels of practice, from basic to elite. » A success. The last edition, organized in February 2025, brought together more than 1400 participants from 73 countries around the world. Advantage: easy access thanks to the competition format. It is possible to participate in your garage, your club, or in arenas with giant screens and more than a hundred ergometers. " explains Juliette Duchemin.
Buoyed by the success and promise of the Indoor World Championships, World Rowing has pushed the envelope even further. Its new initiative: the Virtual Series. Launched this year, between June 1 and September 30, it challenges rowers of all levels and categories, from under-17s to Masters 80+, to ergometer tests, at a rate of one event per month. At the end of each of the four challenges, competitors record their performances online. A ranking is established for each category, evolving throughout the four months of the Virtual Series until the final winners are announced. The organization's goal: to create and develop a global indoor rowing community.
Another new feature: World Rowing Super60. Open to the general public, this competition takes place in a unique 60-second format. It's very sporty and healthy. Accessible, therefore. The first edition was launched this year as part of the Singapore Urban Sports + Fitness Festival. The grand finale will be held on November 29 and 30, 2025, at the Singapore EXPO, as part of the Southeast Asian country's 60th anniversary of independence celebrations.
What's next? World Rowing is already planning its plans in detail. Juliette Duchemin and Filip Ljubicic explained this at the smartcities & sport summit this Tuesday: the organization is looking into the allocation of the World Championships in 2026, 2027, and 2028, and is preparing the eSports qualifying series. It is also working hand in hand with private market players to create digital products, a priority of its virtual strategy.
