Part 2 Towards greater Europe from a Swiss base 1919-1939 The Belgian federation was the first one after the end of the war to propose convening an international congress. The “Societe Nautique de Geneve” immediately offered to organize it. After consultation, EISA’s secretary-gene ral, Count Vialardi di Verrone, announced that the first post-war congress would be postponed until 1920. The town of Antwerp having been chosen by the International Olympic Committee as the host town for the Games of the 7th Olympiad in 1920, the Belgian Federation, responsi ble for putting on the rowing events, then proposed that the 1920 European championships should not be held, explaining that it would be possible to select the European champions from the results of the Olympic regatta alone. The French federation’s proposal not to abandon the European championships and to hold them, as in 1894, at Macon, was accepted after all. During the year, the Ger man federation announced its resignation from FISA. August 14th 1920 — Macon 23rd FISA congress Present: 13 delegates from 7 federations After a gap of seven years, FISA resumed its activities in a room in the town hall of Macon. Antonin Wettengel, the vice-president of the French federation, was chosen to chair the meeting. A delegate from the National Amateur Rowing Association (NARA) (one of the two British asso ciations, and rival of the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA)) attended for the first time. He was Eugene Tou- lot, an English-speaking Frenchman. Sadly, Oscar Gre- goire, the president of the Belgian federation since 1894, who had worked so hard to bring about the Bri tish affiliation, had died during the previous year, without the satisfaction of having achieved his aim. Another first: the presence of two delegates from the Spanish federation. Whereas Spain’s and Czechoslova kia’s requests for affiliation were accepted, that of the NARA was rejected after a long discussion. It would be presented again at the next congress of the international federation. The Statutes, Rules of Racing and Regulations for FISA Championships Regattas were revised. As a result, the member federations’ international regattas would in future be regulated by the general provisions of the FISA Rules of Racing and, in the case of anything not covered by the international rules, by the rules of racing of the host country. An oarsman now had to be a citizen of the country which he was representing at the European championships. The minimum allowance for travelling expenses to be available for crews and boats attending European cham pionships was doubled. The subscription for member federations was now made 300 francs. Moreover, each federation which was newly admitted to FISA would have to pay an entrance fee calculated according to the resources of the federation and the number of affiliated clubs. Federations affiliated to FISA at the end of 1920: BEL ESP FRA NED ITA SUI TCH. There was no news from Russia. August 15th 1920 — Macon 22nd men’s European championships The “Societe des Regates Maconnaises” welcomed FISA’s best European oarsmen. The sun had been shi ning since midday. The organisers were lucky enough to have good weather, and although there was a north wind, it was, fortunately, a following one. Each country nominated one umpire, and lots were drawn to decide which race each of them should take. Each had to act as starter for the race which he umpired. The coxswains were weighed in the boathouse between 11am and midday. The races 4 + : 3 entered 1. SUI 2. BEL 3. FRA A special achievement for Hans Walter and Paul E. Rudolf, already holders of the title, the former since 1911 and the latter since 1912, who managed to retain it, in spite of seven years’ interruption on account of the world conflict. They were joined in this by Willy Brue- derlin and Max Rudolf. lx: 4 entered 1. SUI 2. ITA 3. BEL — FRA (Not rowed out) Max Schmid, from Zurich, was never in any trouble. 2 + : 3 entered 1. FRA 2. SUI - BEL (Not rowed out) In another fine achievement, Gabriel Poix and Maurice Monney-Bouton maintained their tide won in 1913! Their club, the “Societe Nautique de la Marne” was to Part 2 49
