In a landmark decision, the membership of European Aquatics has voted unanimously to re-elect Antonio Silva (POR) as President during the Elective Congress held in Athens. 

The rest of the Officers were also elected unanimously: Josip Varvodic (CRO) as First Vice President, Andida Bouma (NED) as Treasurer, and Noam Zwi (ISR) as General Secretary. 

Additionally, the Elective Congress saw the election of six Vice Presidents who will serve alongside the President and Officers for the next four years. The newly elected Vice Presidents include Kyriakos Giannopoulos (GRE), Christer Magnusson (SWE), Vania Udovicic (SRB), Gilles Sezionale (FRA), Marco Troll (GER), and Erkan Yalcin (TUR), bringing diverse expertise and perspectives to the leadership team.

The bureau members for the term 2024-2028 were also elected, comprising Ewen Cameron (SUI), Fernando Carpena (ESP), Rokur I Jakuppstovu (FRO), Pia Johansen (SWE), Graeme Marchbank (GBR), Norbert Madaras (HUN), Milos Mracevic (MNE), Arno Pajek (AUT), and Camelia Alina Potec (ROU). 

In a further demonstration of the organization’s global perspective, the membership also elected Kyriakos Giannopoulos, Sarah Keane (IRL), Otylia Jedzrejczak (POL, and Josip Varvodic to serve as World Aquatics bureau representatives (starting in 2025), reinforcing European Aquatics’ presence and influence on the international stage.

This team will now steer European Aquatics until 2028. Their re-election underscores the confidence and support of the membership in their vision and capabilities to lead the organization through the upcoming years.

President Antonio Silva said: “I’m very proud of the team we have built here at European Aquatics over the past two years and today’s unanimous decisions show a collective commitment to advancing aquatics sports and fostering cooperation within the European and global aquatics community. It is not a one man show but a movement that want to work hard together for the benefit of Aquatic sports in Europe and worldwide. With this renewed mandate we are now poised to embark on a new chapter of growth, innovation, and inclusivity.”

First Vice President Josip Varvodic said: “It’s an honour to be elected with such a resounding endorsement. I would like to say thank you to our committee members, referees, delegates, technical officials, all my Bureau colleagues and the office staff for all their great support. I am really looking forward to more excellent collaboration in the following years.”

46 National Federations took part in the Congress – 90% of the membership – which was also attended by the President of World Aquatics, Captain Husain Al Musallam and the President of the European Olympic Committees and the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos.

In another historic decision, Congress elected a new European Aquatics Integrity Unit consisting of a Council and an Adjudicatory body. The elected council chair is Ashley Dominic Cox (GBR) and members are: Pia Zatterstrom (SWE) and David Szanto (HUN). The elected chair of the Adjudicatory body is Isabelle Fellrath (SUI) and its members are: Enric Bertran (ESP), Vehovec Rok (SLO), Joost Richard Berculo (NED) and Amichay Weinberger (ISR).

Source: European Aquatics