2011 Rotterdam Eurogames to Feature Rowing

The 2011 Rotterdam Eurogames will feature rowing as one of the featured sports events. The 1,000 meter competition is expected be held in the new championship rowing course currently under construction just outside of Rotterdam. The 10 million Euro project will meet the FISA class A requirements for an international standard rowing course.

The news follows a vote by the 2009 annual general assembly of the European Gay and Lesbian Federation, which gave a resounding endorsement to the unique joint Eurogames 2011/2012 bids presented by the cities of Rotterdam and Budapest. The combined bid is intended to showcase the duality of the free Western European society compared to the more restricted Eastern European society. The bid cities have received letters of support from the government and sports officials including an endorsement by the chair of the Netherlands Olympic Committee, Erica Terpstra. The two cities will cooperate in a unique volunteer exchange programme and use a shared registration platform.

There are two levels of Eurogames: large scale and small scale. The larger event is held once every four years and the smaller event is held annually. Eurogames are licensed by the European Gay and Lesbian Rowing Federation and are considered to be the largest athletic event for gay, lesbian, and transgender people in Europe

Since 2004, rowing has been a featured sport in every ‘large’ Eurogames event. The last large Eurogames, held in Barcelona in 2008, had rowing as a listed sport but the feature was canceled just days before the opening of athlete registration. See related story.

[Edit: Unfortunately, rowing had to be scratched due to the delay in the construction of the rowing facility in Rotterdam]