site.btaEuropean Rowing Championships Open in Plovdiv

The opening ceremony for the 2025 European Rowing Championships for men and women in Plovdiv was held at the rowing canal in the second most populous Bulgarian city on Wednesday. About 800 entrants from 33 countries will compete in the Championships between May 29 and June 1.

The opening ceremony was attended by European Rowing Chair Annamarie Phelps, Bulgaria’s Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Stoyan Andonov, Plovdiv Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov and Deputy Mayor Nikolay Bukhalov (who is an Olympic canoe champion), Bulgarian Rowing Federation President Svilen Neykov and the Championships’ Organizing Committee Chair Ivan Popov.

In a speech, Phelps praised the planning of the European Championships, which are the second such event hosted by Plovdiv after 2011. She wished the rowers good luck, noting that this competition is the beginning of their long way to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. According to the European Rowing leader, Plovdiv always provides a perfect setting for fast times and exciting races. “The racing standard is always phenomenal here, so we keep coming back to Plovdiv,” Phelps said.

Plovdiv Mayor Dimitrov drew attention to the fact that this tournament will be the first one in Bulgaria whose carbon footprint will be measured. He stressed the importance of acting responsibly towards the environment. “I am so happy that Plovdiv is strengthening its position as a regular host of international rowing events,” Dimitrov said.

A parade of the participating nations was held during the ceremony.