FISA, the International Rowing Federation will today award the 2007 World Rowing Awards in the four awards categories Coach of the Year, Female Crew of the Year, Male Crew of the Year and Distinguished Services to Rowing.
The eight recipients of the distinguished awards this year are:
2007 World Rowing Coach of the Year
* Paul Thompson (AUS)
Chief Coach for Women & Lightweights of British squad in 2007
2007 World Rowing Male Crew of the Year
* Drew Ginn and Duncan Free
Australian Men's Pair, 2006 and 2007 World Champions
2007 World Rowing Female Crew of the Year
* Annie Vernon, Debbie Flood, Frances Houghton and Katherine Grainger
British Women's Quad, 2007 World Champions
2007 World Rowing Distinguished Service to International Rowing
* Michel Doutre (FRA)
FISA Umpiring Commission member (1992-2007) and development consultant for French-speaking Africa
The awards will be handed out on the occasion of the 2007 World Rowing Gala Dinner, which takes place this evening in Budapest, Hungary. The dinner is part of the 2007 World Rowing Coaches Conference, and will bring together many coaches and officials from the international rowing world.
The World Rowing awards winners are chosen based on nominations submitted to the FISA Executive Committee by FISA commission members, council members and staff.
More information and photos of the awards ceremony will be available on the World Rowing Website after the event.