A month prior to the World Championships, Germany completed the political process of reunification of the eastern and western parts of the country. This was done at great speed, and organisational changes at the sports level took longer, with the German rowing federations due to merge by the end of 1990. FISA confirmed to the East German rowing federation that their rowers could participate as a separate team to West Germany, but without the designation of East Germany. There were no problems with medal ceremonies, as national anthems were not played nor national flags raised based on a decision made in 1955.