Dear rowers and enthusiasts from all over the world. It is a great honor for me to stand before you today on this significant occasion — the centenary of the International Canoe Federation. As we celebrate 100 years of excellence in rowing, bearing the burden of history and stories, we remember the names and faces of our dedicated stakeholders around the world who paved the way for the success of canoeing. Your passion, dedication and unwavering support have brought us to where we are today. I cordially congratulate each of you and express my deepest gratitude for your invaluable contribution to the development of our sport! On January 19, 1924, the International Representative Body for Canoeing was established, laying the foundation for what later became the International Canoe Federation. Since then, our journey has been truly extraordinary. From a demonstration sport at the Paris Olympics in 1924 to one of the cornerstones of the Olympic movement with 16 sports, canoeing has become a very popular sport on a global scale. Our community is thriving, encompassing 171 national federations, supporting millions of amateur rowers and nurturing thousands of athletes who participate in approximately 32 ICF competitions each year. Being here today, we are proud to represent not only Olympic disciplines, but also non-Olympic disciplines such as SUP and dragon boat, demonstrating the diverse and inclusive nature of canoeing. Today I am pleased to announce the start of the annual celebration of the 100th anniversary of the ICF. Starting on January 19th, our celebration will coincide with the Olympic Games in Paris, and throughout the year we will hold a number of events both on and off the water. I invite each of you — rowers, enthusiasts and supporters — to join us and celebrate this milestone. The celebration will reach its climax at the ICF Congress in Antalya in November this year, where we will hold an evening dedicated to the centennial anniversary. Representatives of all national federations, partners and distinguished guests of the International Olympic Committee and international federations will join us to celebrate this historic event. Today is not just a reflection on our past, but also a commitment to our future. ICF is ambitious and strives to reach even greater heights. We strive to make our sport more enjoyable for everyone, support paddlers around the world and elevate the world of canoeing. In the spirit of the ICF motto: let's always move forward!