The National Olympic Committee of the GDR was granted provisional membership in 1955 and as a next step, East Germany tried to gain membership of the individual sporting organisations that participated in Olympic disciplines.

In July 1955, the East German rowing association applied for a license from FISA, the International Rowing Federation, to be able to nominate their rowers at the European Championships in Bucharest (women) and Ghent (men).

FISA's response was that the next congress, to be held just prior to the championships in Ghent, will decide on the matter.

[3] At the congress, East Germany was unanimously accepted as a new member.

[4] The only West German competitor was Ingrid Scholz, who had won silver in single sculls in 1954; she came sixth in 1955.