World Rowing Development Programme supports 22 nations on the world stage
The 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam provided more than world-class racing. For 22 Member Federations participating through the World Rowing Development Programme, the championships represented an important opportunity to gain experience, learn from international competition, and strengthen their long-term athlete and coach development pathways.
Held from 24 to 30 August 2026 at the iconic Bosbaan Rowing venue in Amsterdam, the Championships brought together the best athletes from around the world. Alongside the racing programme, World Rowing delivered a comprehensive Development Programme designed to support athletes and coaches.
The programme was led by the World Rowing Development Team, with support from a dedicated group of experienced World Rowing coaches including Nebojsa Ilic, Ella Elsender, Leticia Muziol, Ruben Scarpati and Pedro Sanz under the guidance of World Rowing Head of Coaching Gianni Postiglione. Each coach was assigned to support specific athletes and teams throughout the Championships, providing technical guidance, performance feedback and mentoring.
Preparation began well before racing started. Participating teams received detailed pre-travel information, accommodation and transport guidance, health and safety requirements, and practical support to help them prepare for competition in Amsterdam. Dedicated communication channels and on-site volunteers also ensured that athletes and coaches received the assistance needed throughout the event.
A key element of the programme was equipment support. World Rowing worked closely with Filippi to provide boats and oars for teams that would otherwise face significant barriers to participation. Coaches also assisted athletes with boat setup, rigging, and equipment familiarisation during the days leading up to racing.
The Championships also created opportunities for education and knowledge exchange. During the event, Member Federation representatives, coaches and administrators participated in the “What’s Next to Rowing Forum 2026”, which explored topics including coaching development, inclusion, women in coaching and the future growth of para rowing.
The success of the programme was made possible through close collaboration between World Rowing, the Organising Committee, the Netherlands Rowing Federation, national federations, volunteers and coaches. Their collective efforts helped create an environment where athletes from Rowing nations of all sizes and resources could thrive.
As the rowing community now looks ahead to future development opportunities and the next World Championships cycle, Amsterdam 2026 demonstrated the vital role that the Development Programme plays as the world governing body’s solidarity mechanism, ensuring that athletes and coaches from developing rowing nations have the opportunity to participate on the world stage. By reducing barriers to participation and providing technical, logistical and educational support, the programme helps ensure that Rowing remains a truly global sport, practiced and developed across all regions of the world, not only in the more established and better-resourced Rowing Nations. The Championships highlighted how targeted development support can create more inclusive participation, strengthen national rowing systems, and contribute to the long-term growth and sustainability of rowing worldwide.
Outstanding Performances See Development Programme Crews Advance to Final A
|
Rank |
Member Federation |
Athlete(s) |
Event |
|
🥇 1st Place |
Ukraine |
Anna Sheremet |
PR1 W1x |
|
🥇 1st Place |
Mexico |
Melissa Edith Márquez Juárez |
LW2x |
|
🥈 2nd Place |
Ukraine |
Dariia Kotyk |
PR3 Mix2x |
|
🥈 2nd Place |
Uruguay |
Felipe Kluver |
LM1x |
|
🥉 3rd Place |
Tunisia |
Khadija Krimi |
LW2x |
|
🥉 3rd Place |
Ukraine |
Roman Polianskyi |
PR1 M1x |
|
Final A |
Ukraine |
Iaroslav Koiuda |
PR2 Mix2x |
|
Final A |
Uruguay |
Bruno Cetraro |
M1x |
|
Final A |
Uruguay |
Nicole Yarzón |
LW1x |
|
Final A |
Peru |
Alessia Palacios |
LW2x |
|
Final A |
Paraguay |
Rocio Bordon |
LW2x |
