FISA has recently adopted Bye-Laws to Rule 99 of the Rules of Racing regarding Health of Rowers. The Bye-Law provides:
- Pre-competition Health Screening
1.1. From 2015, all athletes competing in the World Rowing Junior, Under 23 or Senior Championship regattas must have completed a pre-competition health screening which includes a questionnaire, a physical examination and an ECG following the IOC’s recommended procedure. It is the responsibility of the national federation to ensure and certify that these Pre-competition Health Screening procedures have been performed.
1.2. Thereafter, all athletes competing in the World Rowing Under 19, Under 23 and Senior World Championship regattas must complete the medical questionnaire and undergo a medical examination each year, and, in addition, must undergo a resting ECG every three years up to the age of 23, and every five years after the age of 23.
1.3. For all other events, including the World Rowing Coastal Championships and World Rowing Masters Regattas, it is strongly recommended that rowers competing in these events undergo this Pre-competition Health Screening.
Rowing is a sport for life that is accessible to people of all ages, genders, fitness and skill levels, and is enjoyed by participants ranging from young rowers at school through to those at universities and in the wider club community through to masters rowing. Rowing is an excellent way for individuals to stay active and to experience the health benefits of physical activity in an enjoyable and social environment. Rowing Australia (RA), its Member Associations and clubs are committed to the health and wellbeing of its participants, whilst also ensuring that the sport remains accessible and that barriers to participation in the sport are minimised.
In accordance with the above, the Rowing Australia Board approved the below guidelines, created with the support of RA’s Member Associations, on 13 August 2015 and reviewed on 20 July 2020.