Senegal Rowing Federation with Michel Doutre in the centre

World Rowing Distinguished Service to International Rowing

Michel Doutre does not slow down. When he found out he had been chosen for the award, Doutre was in Dakar with the Senegal Rowing Federation. He then had to miss receiving his award because of an already arranged trip to Egypt for the Pan Arab Games.

“It was a very emotional moment,” said Doutre when he was told he had won the award, “as I know the outstanding people who have been awarded by FISA before me. You’ve taken me quite by surprise.”

Photo: Michel Doutre (FRA), third from left, with the Senegal Rowing Federation.

Doutre became a development consultant for French-speaking Africa in the 1990s and willingly and regularly traveled to the regions helping to spread the rowing word. He also spent 15 years on the FISA umpiring commission and was a regular umpire at the many FISA regattas.

FISA’s development manager, Sheila Stephens Desbans speaks highly of Doutre: “Michel has continuously given back to the sport whether through his work in his community of Macon, with the national team of France, with FISA umpiring and with the FISA development programme. He continues to bring new ideas and energy to his various roles.”

"Michel has a very good knowledge of how development can realistically work in the countries he is working with. He is culturally and geo-politically aware, which is critical to being able to do the job effectively,” says Stephens Desbans.

Doutre has been a rower for most of his life and in 1961 competed for France at the junior level. He still continues to row or get onto a rowing machine when he gets the opportunity. Although Doutre has stepped down from his role with FISA due to the age of retirement, he will continue to work as a development consultant. “We are hoping he will stay involved for a long time,” says Stephens Desbans.

Paul THOMPSON (GBR)World Rowing Coach of the Year

Originally from Australia, Paul Thompson went to seek new challenges and ended up in Great Britain as the head coach for the women and lightweight squads, including the three-time World Champions in the women’s quad.

Thompson says becoming a coach was a natural progression. “Ever since being a teenager I have done a bit of coaching.” He then got a scholarship to coach with the Australian Institute of Sport and was fortunate to be part of the development of World and Olympic Champions. In 2007, he coached seven crews in the women's and lightweight men squads to seven medals, five of them gold.

Comparing the two countries, Thompson says the main difference is the climate. In Australia he was able to coach on the water all year round while in Great Britain the short winter days limits water time. This, says Thompson, makes it more challenging. In terms of the athletes Thompson says they are the same in both countries. “They all want to achieve.”

As a coach Thompson describes himself as very organised and giving space for the athletes to develop themselves. “The athletes should take responsibility for their performance. At the end of the day they're on their own.”

With the top women’s quad in the world under his tutelage Thompson says the competition is intense to be in that boat. “We've got a strong group of women, the women’s quad, double and eight, who are all pushing for seats in the quad. Competition is strong. No seat is set. They all have to fight for their seats over the winter.”

Thompson says if he wasn’t coaching he would probably still be working in sport, in administration. “Sometimes I wonder whether it'd be quieter if I went out and bought vineyard and made wine,” says Thompson. “I secretly plan to do it in another life.”

To follow, the World Rowing Male and Female Crew of the Year…