Nominations are now officially open for the 2006 Thomas Keller Medal which is awarded each year by the International Rowing Federation (FISA) for an "outstanding career in rowing". The medal has been established as the highest honour in the sport of rowing and is presented to recognise an exceptional rowing career as well as exemplary sportsmanship.
Named after the late President of FISA, the medal was first awarded to the great Norwegian oarsman Alf Hansen in 1990. "This is the first time that nominations are open to the general public" said Matt Smith, FISA Executive Director. "We are pleased to involve more people in the nominations process, and hope that this will help promote this award, the highest distinction in our sport."
The following five factors are taken into consideration when selecting the successful recipient:
To download the official nominations form click here .
Previous recipients of the Thomas Keller Medal are:
1990 Alf Hansen (NOR)
1991 Thomas Greiner (GER)
1994 Yuri Pimenov (RUS)
1996 Francesco Esposito (ITA)
1996 Nikolai Pimenov (RUS)
1996 Rolf Thorsen (NOR)
1997 Giuseppe Abbagnale (ITA)
1997 Carmine Abbagnale (ITA)
1997 Jana Sorgers (GER)
1997 Thomas Lange (GER)
1998 Kerstin Koeppen (GER)
1998 Roland Baar (GER)
1999 Silken Laumann (CAN)
1999 Kathleen Heddle (CAN)
2001 Steve Redgrave (GBR)
2002 Marnie McBean (CAN)
2003 Peter Antoine (AUS)
2004 Nico Rienks (NED)
2005 Matthew Pinsent (GBR)