The World Rowing Coastal Championships and Beach Sprint Finals were officially opened this evening with the inauguration ceremony held at the Sala delle Grida in the Palazzo della Borsa, in Genoa.
The event, which took place in one of the most captivating locations in the city, included speeches from the Mayor of Genoa Marco Bucci, the President of World Rowing Jean-Christophe Rolland, and the Regional Sports Councillor Simona Ferro. Also in attendance was the Municipal Sports Councillor Alessandra Bianchi, along with other distinguished guests. This marked the beginning of one of the most highly anticipated events on the 2024 Genoa European Capital of Sport calendar.
“Today, we are inaugurating an extraordinary event that not only celebrates sports at the highest level but also embodies the spirit of strength and passion of our city”, said the Mayor of Genoa, Marco Bucci. “There are 40 nations represented, with over 800 athletes from five continents, coaches, and staff from all over the world. I know how much dedication it takes to reach this level, and I am confident that everyone will give their best to represent their country. Genoa has always been a city looking to the sea. The sea has been our travel companion, our ally, and at times, our challenger”.
“The Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprint World Championships are one of the major events of Genoa 2024 European Capital of Sport”, said Municipal Sports Councillor Alessandra Bianchi. “For the first time, our city is hosting an absolute World Championship, and for the next ten days, it is ready to transform into the capital of rowing. The spectacle of these events comes from a truly evocative setting, with a unique postcard view of our Genoa dedicated to the many athletes competing, arriving from all over the world, along with their teams, enthusiasts, and visitors. The Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprint World Championships also allow us to strengthen Genoa’s position as an ideal destination for hosting major sports events, as well as providing an international promotional showcase. I would like to thank World Rowing, the Italian Rowing Federation, and the Local Organizing Committee passionately led by Marco Dodero, and I wish the best of luck to all participants, especially the many Genoese and Ligurians ready to be protagonists in the ‘home race’ after the excellent results achieved in previous editions”.
“We are witnessing yet another international event in the year of Genoa as the European Capital of Sport and on the eve of Liguria as the European Region of Sport 2025”, commented the Regional Sports Councillor Simona Ferro. “It will be an extraordinary experience, and I hope that many Ligurians will attend this great show, perhaps discovering for the first time this extremely demanding but equally fascinating and rewarding discipline. Through an event like this, we can also promote sports and its most important values, such as perseverance, determination, and willpower, to the younger generation.”
The World Championships, scheduled until Sunday, September 15th, on San Nazaro Beach, along Corso Italia, will see athletes from all over the world compete.
The event kicks off this weekend with the endurance races in the Coastal Rowing discipline, while on Saturday, September 14th, and Sunday, September 15th, the teams will face off in the Beach Sprint Finals. A double international event of the highest level that embodies the spirit of Genoa and its centuries-old sporting tradition tied to the sea.