Serbian Rowing Federation Suspended for Financial Debts by World Rowing

The Executive Committee of the World Rowing Federation has recently made the decision to suspend the Serbian Rowing Federation as a member of the International Rowing Federation due to significant financial debts. This suspension will take effect from 1 January 2024 and will have various consequences for the Serbian Rowing Federation, including the inability to register athletes for international rowing events, including the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Following a meeting on Thursday, 14 December 2023, the Executive Committee of World Rowing made the difficult decision to suspend the Serbian Rowing Federation in accordance with Article 15 of the Statutes. This decision was not taken lightly and was a result of the ongoing financial difficulties faced by the Serbian Rowing Federation.

World Rowing has been in close contact with the Serbian Rowing Federation and various Serbian authorities for months, working to find a solution to the financial challenges. However, despite these efforts, the Serbian Rowing Federation has been unable to resolve its debts, leading to this unfortunate suspension.

The consequences of this suspension are significant for the Serbian Rowing Federation. They will no longer be recognized as a member of the International Rowing Federation, which means they will not be able to participate in international rowing events. This includes the highly anticipated Paris Olympics, where Serbian rowers will now be unable to compete.

This suspension serves as a reminder of the importance of financial responsibility within sports organizations. The Serbian Rowing Federation will now have to face the consequences of their financial mismanagement, and it is hoped that this serves as a lesson for other federations to prioritize financial stability.

World Rowing remains committed to supporting the Serbian Rowing Federation in finding a resolution to their financial situation. It is in the best interest of the sport and its athletes to have a strong and financially stable national federation in every country. The hope is that the Serbian Rowing Federation can work towards rectifying their financial debts and eventually regain their status as a member of the International Rowing Federation.

In conclusion, the suspension of the Serbian Rowing Federation by World Rowing is a significant development in the world of rowing. It highlights the importance of financial responsibility and serves as a reminder to all sports organizations to prioritize their financial stability. The Serbian Rowing Federation will now have to face the consequences of their debts, including the inability to participate in international rowing events such as the Paris Olympics.