Champion Derry rower Daniel Collins appeals to be allowed to compete in British Rowing Indoor Championships as Irish athlete under national flag

The Derry man is due to take part in BRIC and the World Rowing Indoor Championships (WRICH) in Birmingham over December 5-6, 2026.

The 40-year-old won Irish Indoor Rowing Championship gold and silver medals last year and says he wants to ‘compete for more medals and achieve the highest possible ranking in as many prestigious elite-level competitions as I can, as any competitive athlete would’.

Daniel, who was born Donegal but lives in Derry, took part in BRIC last year as an Irish athlete.

But he pointed out that British Rowing's rules for this year's BRIC state that ‘only British citizens can enter, with dual nationals being required to declare as British’.

Otherwise, he adds, entrants may compete only in the WRICH competition and rankings that will take place simultaneously.

“British Rowing's rules deem me eligible for BRIC on the basis of a citizenship status attributed under British nationality law to people in my circumstances through their connection to the north of Ireland, whether by being born here or by having been born to a parent who was born here. I was born in Donegal and am a long-time resident of Derry city, but my father was born in Tyrone.

“I do not accept that this makes me British, however, nor do I regard British nationality as part of my national identity. I am Irish and have only ever held an Irish passport,” states Daniel.

The Derry rower says he does not believe he should be required to declare himself British as a condition of entering and competing in BRIC.

“I believe this expectation is particularly problematic in light of the principles of the Good Friday Agreement, which recognise the right of people in the north of Ireland to identify and be accepted as Irish, British or both,” he declared.

He described his stance as an entirely personal position as an individual athlete.

A British Rowing spokesperson said: "This year, the World Rowing Indoor Championships will run alongside the British Rowing Indoor Championships. To allow for both events to be held concurrently, the British Rowing Indoor Championships will run as a national title event for British athletes, while the World Rowing Indoor Championships is open to athletes of all nationalities.

"Competitors of all nationalities will race concurrently and will all be part of the same fantastic racing experience that British Rowing has provided for many years.

"We are looking forward to welcoming the very best indoor rowers from across the world to Birmingham for both the British Rowing Indoor Championships and the first in-person World Rowing Indoor Championships since 2024."

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood asked British Rowing to revisit its decision.

Mr. Eastwood has contacted British Rowing and UK Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock MP asking for a review.

He said: “Daniel Collins is a very successful local athlete who has represented Ireland with distinction and I think it is regrettable that this issue has arisen. Daniel competed in this event last year under the Irish flag, so it is difficult to understand why he should now have to declare himself British to have his result included in the rankings.”