Almost 1,200 rowers kick off world championships in St. Catharines

NEWS RELEASE
WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS
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The 2024 World Rowing Senior, Under 23, and Under 19 Championships officially kicked off Saturday with an opening ceremony held at Brock University.

Athletes, coaches, dignitaries, and supporters from around the globe gathered to mark the start of an exciting week of world-class rowing competition, building on the energy of the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympics. While the Senior, Under 23, and Under 19 World Rowing Championships are usually held as separate events, during an Olympic and Paralympic year these championships are combined into one event known as the Mega Worlds.

For this edition, the eight days of competition (Aug. 18-25) will bring together 1,183 athletes from over 60 countries to compete at the Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course in Port Dalhousie. This will be the third time the historic venue hosts the World Rowing Championships, having previously hosted them in 1970 and 1999. 

"Watching the athletes walk out and buzz with excitement during the opening ceremony was a moment of pride for Niagara and the community that has helped make this event happen. Over the next week, we look forward to showcasing our community’s passion for rowing, and witnessing the best rowers in the world compete at the Henley Rowing Course," said Bill Schenck, Chair of St. Catharines World Rowing.

“The Ontario government is proud to support the 2024 World Rowing Championships through the Ontario Sport Hosting Program,” added Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “This event is a great opportunity for high-performance athletes to exhibit their skills and abilities while boosting the local economy of St. Catharines and the surrounding area.

"I am confident these athletes will set an example that inspires the next generation of rowers to pursue athletic excellence.”

Fans worldwide will be able to watch races live on www.worldrowing.com and on World Rowing’s YouTube Channel.

The eight-day streaming will feature over 50 hours of coverage. To learn more about the Mega Worlds or to purchase tickets, visit https://stcrowing2024.com/en/.

"As we gather in St. Catharines for the 2024 World Rowing Senior, Under 23, and Under 19 Championships, we celebrate not just the spirit of competition, but the unity and passion that rowing brings to athletes and fans from around the world. We are thrilled to witness the present, and the future of rowing unfold here in Canada, where the power of perseverance and teamwork will undoubtedly shine through," said Jean-Christophe Rolland, President of World Rowing.

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