World Rowing

Medical Rules

The Olympic Movement Medical Code has been adopted by FISA.

FISA Medical Rules

Rule 20 - Men’s and Women’s Events
Only men may compete in men’s events and only women may compete in women’s events.
>IOC position statement on Hyperandorgenism
>IOC Regulations on Female Hyperandrogenism (ENG)
>IOC Regulations on Female Hyperandrogenism (FR)

Rule 21 – Health
Each member federation shall ensure that their competitors have a state of health and fitness which allows them to compete at a level commensurate with the competition level of the particular event. For all World Rowing Championship and World Rowing Cup regattas, member federations are responsible to ensure that each entered competitor has undergone a FISA Pre-Competition Health Screening and shall confirm in writing that such screening has been completed (see Rule 99).

Rule 22 – Insurance
Each member federation shall ensure that each competitor and team official has adequate medical and accident insurance as well as insurance covering liability, property and equipment.

PART VII - Medical provisions
Rule 99 – Health of Rowers
The health and safety of the participants in the sport of rowing is of utmost concern. FISA has adopted the Olympic Movement Medical Code, its principles and follows all general principles  recognised in international codes of medical ethics.

Bye-Laws to Rule 99 – Health of Rowers
1. Pre-competition Health Screening
As of 1 January 2014, all athletes competing in World Rowing Championship regattas, qualification regattas for the Olympic, Paralympic or Youth Olympic Games or World Rowing Cup regattas,
must undergo a pre-competition health screening which includes a questionnaire, an annual physical examination and ECG following the IOC’s recommended procedure. It is the responsibility
of the national federation to ensure and certify that these Pre-competition Health Screening procedures have been performed.
1.1. For World Rowing Coastal Championships and World Rowing Masters Regattas, it is a personal responsibility of rowers entering these events to ensure that these Pre-competition
Health Screenings have been performed and be prepared to present a written confirmation that the screening has been carried out, signed by a doctor.
2. Member Federation Medical Officer –
Each member federation competing at World Rowing Championship regattas, Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic Games and relevant qualification regattas and World Rowing Cup
regattas must provide the name and contact details of a Medical Officer with whom FISA may communicate on medical issues.
3. Intravenous re-hydration –
Any lightweight rower who has been re-hydrated intravenously after the weigh-in and before the start of the respective race shall not be allowed to start.
4. Injections (No-Needle Policy) –
During International Regattas (from 24 hours before the start of the first race of the Regatta through to 24 hours after the end of the last race at such Regatta), any injection to any site of an  athlete’s body of any substance:
4.1 must be medically justified.
(i) Justification includes physical examination by a certified medical doctor (M.D.), diagnosis, medication, route of administration and appropriate documentation;
4.2 must respect the approved indication of the medication = no off-label;
4.3 must be administered by a certified medical professional unless authorised by the FISA Doctor or the Regatta Doctor; and
4.4 must be reported immediately and in writing not later than 24 hours afterwards to the FISA Doctor or the Regatta Doctor (except athletes with a valid TUE for this competition). The report
must include the diagnosis, medication and route of administration.
The disposal of used needles, syringes and other biomedical material which may affect the security and safety of others, including blood sampling (e.g. lactates) and other diagnostic equipment shall conform to recognised safety standards.
Any violation of one of these principles may constitute a violation of the FISA Rules and may lead to penalties including exclusion of the crew concerned or, where appropriate, disqualification of the whole team from the regatta. The Executive Committee is the judicial body which shall determine the process to be followed. The costs of any investigations related to this rule may be charged to the member federation concerned.
5. Determinations of eligibility from Rule 20 –
In cases requiring determination of eligibility in respect of Rule 20, including sex re-assignment and hyperandrogenism, the FISA Executive Committee will refer to International Olympic Committee
guidelines.

The No Needle Policy

• No Needle Policy presentation
• No Needle Policy FISA Form

The Medical Substitution

• Crew Change Form