Rower delighted after championships' 'declare as British to compete' U-turn

An Irish rowing champion who was told he could only compete and receive a ranking in the British Rowing Indoor Championships (BRIC) if he declares himself as British can now compete as an Irish entrant.

Daniel Collins, who is based in Northern Ireland, competed in last year's event under the Irish flag, but rules changed for the 2026 event as the BRIC and the World Rowing Indoor Championships (WRIC) are being run concurrently.

Collins said he has now received an apology from British Rowing and will now appear in both the British and World rankings.

In a statement, British Rowing said it has since "clarified its FAQs and website information" to make clear that Collins is eligible for inclusion.

A British Rowing spokesperson said they have been in contact with Collins. and said "based on his citizenship status, he is eligible for inclusion in both the British and World Rankings".

"We look forward to welcoming the very best indoor rowers from across the world to Birmingham this December, and we are pleased that Mr Collins will be among them," the spokesperson said.

"I am absolutely over the moon that they have shifted their position," Daniel told BBC News NI.

"The email came out of the blue on Friday morning and I really wasn't expecting it.

"I can now look forward to competing."

In the e-mail from British Rowing's Head of Events and Competitions, seen by BBC News NI, Collins was told "you do not need to declare yourself as British to enter".

"Once you have confirmed your citizenship status via response to this email, then you are welcome to enter as Irish and we will ensure you are filtered into the BRIC listings also.

"You do not need to declare yourself as British to enter. We have since amended our FAQs and website information and apologise for any distress caused."

British Rowing has also offered Collins free entry for the 2,000m and 500m races.

The rower was born in the Republic of Ireland in the border county of Donegal but has been resident in Londonderry since he was 10.

His father is originally from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland.

Speaking earlier this week, Collins said: "I identify as Irish, I'm not willing to declare myself as British in order to compete."

On Friday, Collins said he wanted to thank everyone for their support over the last few days, particularly the Foyle MP Colum Eastwood.

Eastwood, who had raised Collins's case with British Rowing and UK Sports Minister, Stephanie Peacock MP, said "common sense has prevailed".

"This situation highlights the need for greater understanding in UK institutions about the intricacies of British and Irish citizenship and the distinct Irish identity that many people in this part of our island hold dear," he said.

"It's important that this is taken into consideration when decisions around eligibility are determined and that nobody is unfairly disadvantaged as a result."

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and, under the British Nationality Act 1981, a person born in the UK will generally be a British citizen by birth if, at the time of their birth, one of their parents was either a British citizen or settled in the UK.

Under the Good Friday Agreement, signed on 10 April 1998, the people of Northern Ireland have the birthright to identify and be accepted as British or Irish, or both, and to hold both British and Irish citizenship.

The British-Irish Agreement, which forms part of the Good Friday Agreement, is an international agreement between the UK and Irish governments and gives commitments relating to equality, parity of esteem and citizenship legal force in international law.

In 2022, three Northern Irish gymnasts – including Olympian Rhys McClenaghan – were told they would possibly have to renounce the Irish identity on their gymnastics licence if they wanted to compete in the Commonwealth Games.

Many individual athletes, including Rhys McClenaghan, who is from Newtownards in Northern Ireland, and track and field athlete Kate O'Connor, who was born in Newry, Northern Ireland, and lives in Dundalk in the Republic of Ireland, have represented Ireland at events such as the Olympics and Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games.

Hannah Scott, who is from Coleraine in Northern Ireland, has competed and won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics for Team GB in the women's quadruple sculls.

Some team sports also operate on an all-island basis, with athletes from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland competing together, while others have separate teams representing Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.