They quoted examples of other sports in which the premature elimi nation of serious rivals for reasons unconnected with sport was a source of rejoicing. For us in rowing such a sporting attitude is customary, self-evident even, both among the federation’s administrators - almost all of whom are former top athletes - and among the competitors. Perhaps it took the surprise expressed by people from other sport ing spheres to make us realise that the fair play which is so familiar to us is not taken for granted in many other sports, and that in this respect we are therefore very privileged. It is plain that when several million dollars are at stake on the result of a race, the athlete can be tempted to go to any lengths - cheating, drug-taking, etc. From such a stand-point, any means of winning ap pears justified. In rowing, on the other hand, the pleasure of unself ish effort, the self discipline and the moral satisfaction obtained from a victory over oneself, these are principally what competition is all about. If, therefore, we sometimes complain about the lack of funds affecting our sport, preventing us from promoting it more ef fectively in countries where it is virtually unknown, we must at the same time not forget the positive side of this “poverty”! It allows us to safeguard a much more valuable treasure - that of moral wealth. We cannot, of course, avoid a certain commercialisation, if we are to tap the financial resources necessary for the development of rowing. But, in so doing, we must be careful not to relinquish the moral and educational values which are its true richness. Many thanks to all at Seoul who helped to remind us of our good for tune in being able to preserve a sport which still respects its tradi tional values. (Article published in FISA Information No.9/1988) January 27th—28th 1989 Athens Extraordinary FISA congress Major decisions concerning the future of rowing were ratified by the delegates representing 44 federations. - Implementation of a new administrative structure for FISA with the creation of the post of a full-time paid secretary-general. The post of a treasurer, who would be a member of the executive committee, was added. - It was not intended to make any proposals for changes to the Olympic rowing programme. The proposal to replace certain traditional events by lightweight events had been rejected. In a final resolution, the members of the Congress expressed their unanimous wish for the earliest possible introduction of lightweight events at the Olympic Games. - The Umpires’ Panel became a commission, with only its chairman still being a member of the Executive Committee. - Two new commissions were established: one dealing with public relations and mass media, and the other with marketing, sponsorship and financing. - English was added to French as a second official FISA language. In case of discrepancy, the French text would prevail. - A lightweight quadruple sculls event was added to the world championships programme. - The women’s coxed quadruple sculls was replaced by a coxswainless quad for the world championships, world junior championships and Olympic Games. - The race distance was lengthened to 2,000 metres for both men’s and women’s junior world championships. - Cash prizes were authorized to be paid to the national federations, or to the clubs responsible for administer ing them on behalf of competitors, in conformity with rules formulated by the national federations and sub mitted by them for FISA’s approval. - Obligatory dope testing outside competition was made official: a procedure which had been practised by FISA since 1982. - Coaching from the bank was banned only if technical means were used (electronic or electric). Shortly after this congress, John Boultbee left his native Australia to live in Switzerland. He was the best candi date for the post of professional secretary-general of FISA. An agreement in principle was concluded with the FISA administrators. He then accompanied president Keller and secretary-general Oswald to Oberhofen be side Lake Thun, to visit the site of the new FISA head quarters, rented on excellent terms from the Internation al Ski Federation. John Boultbee (AUS), first professional secretary-general appoint ed by FISA, in 1989. Born on March 9th, 1950, he successfully pursued in his native town of Sydney both his legal studies — he is a lawyer — and his pas sion for rowing at all levels. He was a coxswain first in his own coun try, then in England. From 1977 to 1982, he was Australian team manager, and fulfilled several roles with the Australian Olympic team from 1980 to 1988. From 1982 to 1988, he was secretary- general of the Australian Rowing Federation. This unrivalled ex perience, along with his gift for languages — he speaks English, French and German - equip him well to take charge of the adminis tration of FISA. August 3rd—6th 1989 — Szeged 5th junior World championships A pleasant spot in the south of the Hungarian plain, on a reservoir. There were two innovations: the racing no longer took place over 1,500 metres, but over 2,000 metres, as for the seniors; and the coxswainless four replaced the coxed four for the junior women. Once again, alas, the weather, in particular a violent wind, made it difficult to maintain fair conditions in some events. Women’s races 4-: 1. AUS 2. FRG 3. GDR 4. USA 5. GBR 6. URS This result brought a great deal of satisfaction to the Aus tralians. 2x: 1. GDR 2. URS 3. TCH 4. ROM 5. NED 6. ITA 2-: 1. GDR 2. BUL 3. URS 4. GBR 5. FRA 6. HUN Part 5 241
