Athlete Commission Elections & Appointments: the nomination process is open

In 2022, World Rowing athletes will for the first time have the opportunity to elect members of the World Rowing Athletes’ Commission.

The 2020 World Rowing Extraordinary Congress approved the proposal to introduce elections for membership of the World Rowing Athletes’ Commission (AC), replacing the previous process whereby the AC members were appointed by the Council and the AC Chair was elected by the Congress.

The 2020 Extraordinary Congress also approved that the AC Chair is a member of the World Rowing Executive Committee with full voting rights.

The new Athletes’ Commission Regulations & Election Procedures, Appendix S5 of the World Rowing Statutes, explain the new election and appointment procedure of which the principal elements are:

1. 1. 50% elected and 50% appointed members.
   2. 10 members in total, including 6 representing flat water rowing, 2 representing para rowing, and 2 representing coastal rowing.
   3. Continued emphasis on full gender equality and diverse representation.
   4. AC Chair is now selected by the AC members and proposed to the Council for appointment.

Elections

Elections will take place during the 2022 World Rowing Championships, Racice, CZE (4 elected positions, for flat water rowing including para rowing) and at the 2022 Coastal Championships, Saundersfoot, GBR (1 elected position, for coastal rowing). Election results will then be announced for the five elected AC members.

Each athlete holding an athlete accreditation for the relevant World Rowing Championships during which the election takes place will have the right to vote in person. Prior to the elections, World Rowing will provide information on the World Rowing website presenting all candidates and providing information on the upcoming election, including the actual dates on which voting will take place, and voting instructions.

Appointments

The appointment process will follow the elections. The Council will appoint the remaining five members. The candidates for the appointments will include those candidates who were not elected, and may include other candidates. Such appointments shall ensure gender equality and diverse representation.

AC Chair

Following the completion of the election and appointment process, the members of the AC will meet and select their proposed candidate for Chair of the AC. The Chair is appointed by the Council.

Nominations

The nomination process is open now and runs until 17 May 2022. The nominations will then undergo eligibility checks by World Rowing and the candidate list will be published by 17 June 2022.

Member Federations (MFs) interested in nominating a candidate for the Athletes’ Commission, for the four-year term beginning 1 January 2023, are asked to complete the Athletes’ Commission Nomination Form, which can be accessed using the following link:

https://worldrowing.com/about/organisation/governance/official-communications-world-rowing-circulars/

If you have any questions, please send an email to Lucy Trochet, Governance Manager (lucy.trochet@worldrowing.com )