British Rowing Statement

Since July 2015, British Rowing has been conducting a modernising process designed to create the most appropriate organisational structure and culture for the future. This has included assessing all areas of the business, creating new teams and centralising core services. The plan has always been, and remains, to include an assessment of our world class high performance programme following the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Over the last eight months, and as with all summer Olympic and Paralympic sports, British Rowing has been working with UK Sport to develop a performance model for the Tokyo cycle aimed at continuing our success over the coming four years. Part of this process includes a focus on the leadership and culture of our sport to ensure that we are demonstrating the highest ethical, professional and corporate governance standards in delivering Olympic and Paralympic success with a commitment to continuous improvement.

British Rowing is aware of allegations made by Emily Taylor this week and has already made contact with her with the intention to hear her allegations first hand. Having considered the allegations and recognising our duty of care to past and current rowers, our own dedicated staff and the wider sport at large, we have taken the decision to now conduct an internal review into these allegations.

British Rowing strives to be an open and transparent organisation and any person who has been part of the high performance programme is invited to contribute to this review, should they wish. Please contact Pippa Randolph at British Rowing in the first instance and further information on the review will be provided.

Andy Parkinson, CEO of British Rowing said: “We have a duty of care to everyone involved in the high performance programme and we treat allegations of this nature very seriously. As a responsible National Governing Body we will make every effort to assess the facts so that we are able to address the current situation and continually improve our programmes. I am personally committed to reviewing the current situation and, as an organisation, we are committed to providing a positive experience for everyone in our sport, at all levels.”

British Rowing will not be commenting on the internal review until after its conclusion.

For media enquiries please contact Kenny Baillie, Director of Partnerships and Communications on 07818 576 132, [email protected].