British Olympic Association Vice Chair, Annamarie Phelps CBE, has this week been elected to become Chair of European Rowing.
The decision was made at the 2021 European Rowing General Assembly and Phelps will replace retiring Ryszard Stadniuk from Poland, who has been in position since 2008.
There were also elections for five positions on the European Rowing Board (ERB). The ERB consists of four representatives of the Member Federations and three representatives nominated by the World Rowing Council but subject to vote by the General Assembly.
Two of the four Member Federations positions were up for election and were won by Phelps and Asuncion Loriente of Spain.
The position of Chair for European Rowing is a four-year term and will play a key role in the delivery of 2022 Strategic Event Attribution Process and other key projects throughout European Rowing.
Phelps was first elected to the European Rowing Board in 2017 and also served as Chair of British Rowing until March 2018.
During her time with British Rowing, Phelps oversaw the modernisation of the organisation and business model, as well as championing inclusion and diversity, whilst bringing the sport to new and younger audiences.
This appointment comes soon after Phelps’ appointment to the European Olympic Committee’s Executive Committee in June of this year.
Speaking following the announcement Annamarie Phelps, said: “I’m very proud to be taking on this appointment on the board of European Rowing, representing a sport I have been involved in for over 30 years. I’d like to thank Ryszard for his stewardship over the last 13 years and wish him well in his retirement.
“It is an exciting time for the sport with a European Summer Olympic Games in Paris in 2024 and the multi-sport European Championships in Munich next year. I look forward to contributing to European Rowing’s ambition to support our Federations to create a sustainable future for the sport and its many participants.”