In summary, while FISA has informed the International Paralympic Committee that it will be applying for rowing to be included in the 2008 Paralympic Games, in order for this to happen a number of criteria must be fulfilled.
a) By 2005, adaptive rowing must be "widely practiced" in at least 24 countries and 3 regions out of America, Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia, Oceania), ie the national team of at least 24 countries should have participated in international competition, or national championships should have been held regularly. b) FISA must have held at least 2 World Championships in adaptive rowing before 2005. c) National Federations have been asked by FISA to sign the "Seville Protocol" (which they received with the Circular) undertaking to do what they can to bring on adaptive rowing in their countries in order to support FISA's bid. This needs to be done by September 1st this year. d) Note that with a cap of 4000 athletes and 22 sports at the 2008 Paralympics, even if all these criteria are fulfilled, it is by no means guaranteed that rowing will gain a place, especially given its large complement of competitors, which as we know, constantly cause a problem to multi-sport games.
Copyright Rachel Quarrell, 2002. Not to be reproduced in any form without express permission.