site.btaPlovdiv to Host 2025 European Rowing Championships

Plovdiv (southern Bulgaria) won Wednesday the right to host the European Rowing Championships in 2025. Plovdiv was chosen over seven other European cities. It will be held on the rowing canal from May 29 to June 1. The decision was made by the European branch of the World Rowing Federation.

The President of the European Headquarters, Annamarie Phelps, congratulated Bulgaria and expressed her confidence that Plovdiv will provide excellent conditions for the competition, Organizing Committee Chair, Ivan Popov said. He recalled that this is the second competition of this rank that the city has organized since 2011.

"The competition is important for the European teams because world leaders in the sport such as England, Germany, France and Italy will be taking part. In addition, the distances and good road communications in Europe are such that each team can afford to bring their own boats. We expect that between 750 and 950 rowers from almost all European countries to come to Plovdiv. They will compete on 350-400 shells," Popov said.

Teams from other continents usually also take part in the European Championships. However, they compete outside the rankings and cannot compete for honours.

The Organizing Committee in Plovdiv has been entrusted with the organization of this European competition. Its partners are Plovdiv Municipality and Sports Ministry through the Bulgarian Rowing Federation.

"We are obliged to and will provide the rowing course, accommodation and meals for the teams, as well as medical care and doping control. The teams have the care of their boats, but representatives of the biggest manufacturers of rowing boats and paddles such as the Italian Filippi and the German Empacher will be present if needed and the teams will be able to hire from them. By working on the organization of this elite competition we aim to consolidate Plovdiv as a center of world rowing. Let's not forget the financial side of the championship - it brings revenue to the city," explained Popov.

At the European Championships, all athletes will compete over a distance of 2000 metres in six corridors plus two reserves. No records are set in academic rowing because the sport is strongly influenced by natural conditions. Unofficially, however, best performances are recorded. Twelve of the world's best achievements have been recorded in Plovdiv because the water there is very "fast". The canal is built so that there is no headwind. The depth is 3-3,5 meters and there are no underwater currents, all algae are cleared.

"Preparations for the biggest European competition will begin in September, but the course is already ready," said Popov.