FISA and the ATHENS 2004 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games today held the lane draw for the 2003 World Rowing Junior Championships taking place on the new Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Center in Schinias.
The German team decided to withdraw from the event because most of its athletes have gone ill, suffering from Gastroenteritis. FISA rules state that a team must participate in the preliminary heats in order to compete further at the Championships.
The decision of the German team not to participate was based on the fact that they could not form complete crews for the first day of the preliminary heats, and because of the seemingly contagious nature of the illness. The first symptoms appeared on Sunday morning and by Sunday evening most of the members of the German team were affected.
The affected members of the team were treated by Dr. Juergen Steinacker, the team’s doctor and a member of the FISA Sports Medicince Commission. Immediate and continuous assistance was provided to the German team by the Medical Services department of ATHENS 2004. On Monday the Greek Public Health Authorities were informed and carried out all appropriate procedures.
The German Team Leader Mr. Frank Schruetrumpf and the team’s doctor expressed their satisfaction for the systems and procedures already in place by the organisers, and their gratitude for the immediate and continuous support of the Medical team of the venue.
The Preliminary heats of the Championships will start tomorrow morning as planned. However, due to the high winds in the weather forecast, the heats will now start at 06:30 hrs.
FISA and the ATHENS 2004 Organising Committee express regret that the German rowers cannot compete at the event and sincerely wish them a fast recovery.
You can find the start lists and follow the racing from tomorrow on the official FISA website: www.worldrowing.com