WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS COURSE READY

The venue for this year’s World Rowing Championships at Scotland’s Strathclyde Park passed a major test at the start of the season when a FISA delegation  - Regattas Commission members Mike Sweeney (chairman) and Svetla Otzetova and new FISA Executive Director Matt Smith - attended the Strathclyde International Regatta and declared themselves more than satisfied with the vast majority of the facilities in use.

Among the changes being tested for the first time was the new bridge to the finish tower which completely revolutionises safety and circulation arrangements at the Park.   Several other on-course improvements were also tested, none more successfully than the new traffic-light start system.   A number of other changes, including improved communications hardware at the start area, will be introduced later this summer and tested at forthcoming regattas before the big one.

As well as checking out the technical facilities, the FISA delegation also went over many other areas of organisation and again, most arrangements seemed to come up to the grade.  Transport, accommodation, accreditation, medical cover and dope-testing arrangements, as well as media and social events handling, were all gone into in depth.

With the Water Sports Centre at the course being handed over to the athletes for their secure and comfortable use, the World Championships organisers will create a high-quality tented village, giving spectators, family supporters, and officials better facilities than have been available on some occasions recently.   For example, the temporary grandstand will come to Strathclyde Park direct from the 18th green of the British Open Golf Championship, and all canvas structures, including the venue for the Trade RowShow, Press Centre, VIP and Catering facilities will be of the highest quality.

The Championships Club is centrally located in this village, with the best 



possible views of the race finish and  medal presentation areas.   It will be an informal but high quality facility available for those who have travelled from all parts of the world to be at the World Championships and membership applications are running at such a high level that it is already clear that the Club will live up to its promise of “Being at the Heart of the Action”.

Championship Chairman, Peter Morrison, says, "We were delighted at the result of the FISA visit, and are confident that we can deliver a memorable event.   With 1,800 team members from over 50 nations already entered, this is going to be the biggest Championship event yet".

SUPPORT

The World Rowing Championships (Scotland) 1996 is supported by various organisations, including the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association, the Amateur Rowing Association, the Lanarkshire Development Agency, the Sports Council and the Scottish Sports Council.

Sponsoring companies include Canon, Compaq, Tunnock’s and Victoria Wine.

INFORMATION

The World Rowing Championships, including the full range of Junior events and all non- Olympic Championship categories, takes place from Tuesday 6th August until Sunday 11th August.   Further information is available from:
World Rowing Championships (Scotland) 1996
Strathclyde Country Park
366 Hamilton Road
Motherwell ML1 4ED
Scotland
Great Britain


NB NEW  Tel  (44) (0) 1698 252565
Fax (44) (0) 1698 269446