The Olympic rowing regatta venue is being developed at Lagoa Rodrigo da Freitas, a lagoon in Rio very near to the famous Ipanema beach. Its natural beauty and centrality will make it an iconic Olympic venue.

Moving from events management at FISA, the World Rowing Federation, Colleen Orsmond has recently joined Rio's Olympic organising committee, Rio 2016, as Rowing Competition Manager. Orsmond's role will be to take care of the sport side of rowing and thus make sure the venue meets the requirements that are laid out by FISA.

Orsmond works with a group of sports managers who follow a master plan that stipulates a very definite timeline with goals to meet along the way.

"It is very structured," says Orsmond who adds that a key part of the role will be to make relationships and try to work well with all of the local stakeholders involved. Orsmond says that this includes the Brazilian Rowing Federation, the City of Rio, and the people who currently use Lagoa Rodrigo da Freitas including fishermen and recreational users."

"It's a spectacular setting," says Orsmond. "From the venue you can see Christ the Redeemer, the hills surrounding Rio, it's close to the beach (Ipanema) and it's in the middle of the city. So compared to Beijing and London (Olympics) it is very central.

"The Lagoa has a popular running track around it. It's used every day, all day. It's like a hub. Also it is different (from more recent Olympic regatta venues) because it's a natural body of water, not an artificial course.

"The venue will have all of the facilities that you would expect at an Olympic Games. But the really special aspect is the setting."

Orsmond sees her move from FISA to the Rio Olympic organisation as the perfect way to apply the knowledge and skills she has gained from overseeing so many international regattas, including two Olympic Games.  “I know very well what FISA and the 550 athletes expect from an Olympic Rowing Regatta but I also know the numerous challenges that are faced by every organising committee. It will be no different here in Rio but I am very proud to be part of a great team whose objective is to deliver a successful and truly memorable event.”

While at FISA Orsmond says she would be dealing with a number of event venues at any one time, "so for me it's exciting to be on the ground and actually delivering a single – albeit massive event." Orsmond adds, "I've now worked for FISA on two Olympic Games so I know pretty well what FISA requests from this regatta."

The Lagoa regatta venue has a number of clubs based around it and Orsmond, a two-time Olympic rower and a World Champion Coastal Rower, hopes to do some flat water rowing as well as coastal rowing while she is in Rio.

Rio 2016 Olympic Games website: http://www.rio2016.com/