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World Rowing Federation allows Russians to qualify for Olympics

"A week ago, we received information from the International Federation that men's and women's singles and doubles without a coxswain can compete in the European qualifying regatta," Alexey Svirin noted

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. World Rowing, also called the World Rowing Federation (WRF), which is the global governing body for the sport of rowing, has decided to allow Russian rowers to participate in the European Olympic qualifying regatta, Russia Rowing Federation (RRF) President Alexey Svirin told TASS.

"A week ago, after several months of silence, we received an answer from the International Federation," Svirin said. "We last communicated with World Rowing in December, and then we were told that 2023 is ending and there may be other conditions for the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Olympic season. A week ago, we received information from the International Federation that men's and women's singles and doubles without a coxswain can compete in the European qualifying regatta. As I understand it, the system of admission will remain the same as it was last year."

"Athletes will have to undergo anti-doping and background checks, they must not have participated in the special military operation, and so on. We do not yet understand how much these tests will cost. It is also not clear yet whether applicants for neutral status will need to sign any declarations. World Rowing has not yet answered these questions," the RRF head added.

In 2023, three Russian athletes competed as neutrals at the September World Rowing Championships in Serbia, which was a qualifying tournament for the 2024 Olympics. None of the Russians managed to fulfill the goal of qualifying for the Paris Games.

"The probability of participation of our athletes in the Olympic qualifying regatta is increasing, but we do not have a full understanding of this issue yet. We are trying to keep communicating with the International Federation; we proposed to hold a videoconference, but we have not yet received any response," said Svirin.

The European qualifying regatta will be held on April 25-28 in Szeged, Hungary. The final selection stage will take place in Lucerne, Switzerland, where the final qualifying regatta will be held on May 19-21. Paris will host the Summer Olympics from July 26 to August 11.

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