I greet and welcome all athletes and participants in the European Rowing Championships 2010. It is with great pride and satisfaction that Portugal is hosting this major championship. The Government will create conditions for developing and prospering rowing. And we believe that this effort, together with the talent job of the Portuguese Rowing Federation has made, will continue to provide excellent sports results and increase the number of practitioners. I would like to thank all the persons and entities who contributed to this achievement, wishing best success. To Portuguese athletes I dedicate words of encouragement and support. To all, in the name of Government, I wish the best success.
Laurentino Dias, State Secretary of Youth and Sport
As Mayor of Montemor-o-Velho I am delighted to participate on the invitation to all athletes, enthusiasts and supporters of the 2010 European Rowing Championship, to be held in Montemor-o-Velho, Portugal. This will be the official inaugural event of Montemor-o-Velho’s improved rowing course.
It is a great honour and an enormous challenge for Montemor-o-Velho to host this prestigious championship, a rowing festival not to be missed.
Find a place with such a beautiful natural course it’s not common. The breathtaking natural landscape and the blue water from Mondego river sets the scenario for the Montemor-o-Velho’s rowing course, a stunning view that can also be enjoyed from the medieval castle.
We have made significant changes to the venue in order to welcome big national and international events and are sure that this will be a memorable Championship for everyone.
We hope you all share a unique, inspiring and unforgettable experience in Montemor-o-Velho!
Better Rowing, Better World!
Luís Leal, Mayor of Montemor-o-Velho
2010 marks the beginning of great international events in our country.
Before 2008, we were far from thinking that we could win at the first round, against powerful countries like Germany or Lithuania.
It was a very special moment to us, presented in Greece, corroborated with the support of many countries that during all this years have shown great friendship with us.
At this moment we have to answer to this great challenge, the one that might be the biggest european rowing championships because of the calendar that placed our European before the World Championships that it will be disputed in the New Zealand in November, and after the 3ª World Cup that will be disputed in Lucerne in July.
Our organization will allow that in the future FISA can look at us as one of the main countries that can organize this kind of events.
The economic situation of our country do not allow us to make big projects into a near future, but we’re sure that the Government, through this organization will confirm our potential and, jointly with the Portuguese Rowing Federation, will get on into other great events.
As a consequence of partnership with Portuguese Government through State Secretary of Youth and Sport and with the council of Montemor-o-Velho, we are certain that Portugal and the village will correctly receive all the visitants and our friends from other countries so that they’ll never forget all the time passed with us, in sportive and leisure aspects.
Portuguese Rowing Federation is expecting the interest and support of national rowing family to help us making this championships, not only one of the biggest events realized in Portugal with such a special interest to Portuguese rowing, as also to show and to make feel to those who visits our country that the fair-play and sport’s love of our people is something that they’ll never forget.
I hope that everyone gets satisfied at the end of this European Championship’s and hope either that you come back for other events, either to use our excellent conditions for rowing practice.
António Marques, FPR President