News

Posted: March 9, 2017

European Championships Glasgow 2018 - Media Release

Sports fans can look forward to cheering on Europe’s finest rowers at Strathclyde Loch next year after a Host City Agreement was formally signed between Glasgow 2018 and the World Rowing Federation, FISA.

Great Britain’s Rio 2016 heroes are amongst those likely to take to Scottish waters as part of the first ever European Championships, a new multi-sport format which will take place in partnership between the host cities of Glasgow and Berlin.

Rowing is one of six sports due to be hosted in Scotland as part of Glasgow 2018 along with Cycling, Gymnastics, Triathlon, Aquatics and a brand new team Golf event. The European Athletics Championships will take place in Berlin.

The Championships will run from August 2nd to August 12th, with rowing taking place over four days from August 2nd to August 5th, and a full schedule covering each sport was released earlier this month.

The Host City Agreement (HCA) with FISA details all aspects of the delivery of the European Rowing Championships at Strathclyde Country Park in North Lanarkshire, with 600 rowers expected to compete at the famous venue.

Strathclyde Loch has previously hosted the 2006 and 2014 Commonwealth Rowing Championships and the 2005 World Rowing Masters Regatta but this will be the first time a European Rowing Championships has been brought to Scotland.

European Rowing Chair Ryszard Stadniuk said: “Strathclyde Loch is well-known by the rowing community and is appreciated as an excellent regatta venue.

“The European Championships have provided a great opportunity to upgrade this high quality venue and we look forward to participating in this new multi-sport event.

“We greatly appreciate the continued support of British Rowing and the Strathclyde organising committee.”

Sir David Tanner, British Rowing’s Performance Director said: “It is great that our rowers will have the opportunity to compete on home water at Glasgow 2018.

“As we saw at London 2012, a home crowd can have a really positive impact on our rowers to help them find that little bit extra. I am sure that Glasgow 2018 will be no different and we’ll look forward to the ‘Glasgow Roar’.”  

The GB Rowing Team has enjoyed a highly successful decade including, most recently, stellar performances at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and at last year’s European Rowing Championships in Germany, where Great Britain clinched four gold medals.

Glasgow 2018 will be one of the few opportunities that the British public get to see the GB rowers in action on home soil against some of the finest rowing talent in the world - so it’s an event not to be missed.

Glasgow 2018 Championships Director, Colin Hartley, said: “I am delighted to confirm the Host City Agreement with FISA which will see the best Rowers in Europe compete in front of a typically loud and enthusiastic Scottish crowd.

“Strathclyde Country Park has plenty of experience in hosting major events, including the 2014 Commonwealth Games Triathlon events and I look forward to welcoming athletes to this magnificent venue next summer. By working closely with our partners at North Lanarkshire we will ensure it is even better this time around.

“The immense success of the Great Britain team over the past number of years will undoubtedly attract a lot of interest from the home crowds but I am excited to welcome fans from all over the world for this once in a lifetime sporting event.”

Visit glasgow2018.com for further information on the Glasgow 2018 European Championships and to register for priority access to tickets, which go on sale this summer.