Antonio da Silva of Portugal is the new LEN President after receiving the vast majority of the votes at the LEN Extraordinary Congress in Frankfurt. His candidacy enjoyed a 96% support among the 47 federations present and three more attending the event online.
The Congress voted 92 to 8 to dismiss the previous Bureau. The Congress then elected a new Bureau – for the first time in the history European Aquatics, LEN has a female General Secretary, Andida Bouma of the Netherlands. Tomas Kucinskas of Lithuania is the new LEN Treasurer, while Kyriakos Giannopoulos (GRE), Christer Magnusson (SWE), Gilles Sezionale (FRA), Marco Troll (GER) and Josip Varvodic (CRO) are the new Vice-Presidents.
In his first speech as President, Mr Da Silva said “We had the courage to stand up and fight for a better future for all federations and all the aquatic disciplines. We stood up and fought for the principles of Unity, for openness and transparency for the sacred principles of democracy. We spoke out and demanded that LEN worked with FINA for the good of the sport worldwide. We can no longer exist in isolation, together we are stronger.”
The new LEN President underlined that the real hard work was still ahead. Among the first items on his new team’s agenda is the restructuring of the LEN Office and the Bureau and to shape and agree on a new Constitution and to review LEN’s competition structure and calendar.
“There are no fewer than 8 goals for integrity, transparency and governance, 7 regarding inclusion and access to our sport, 6 for collaboration between aquatic disciplines and 8 for sustainability so we have a lot to do” Mr Da Silva said who insisted his goal was to reach out for each National Federation as he wanted to achieve real unity in Europe.
He also added, that after the new Constitution is approved – this is anticipated in May, at a next Congress –, his team plans to enlarge the LEN Bureau to include more members and there is a hope that two more European members can join the FINA Bureau in the near future.
Newly elected Vice-President Josip Varvodic also thanked the trust of the national federations and emphasised that there would be no division in the LEN Family any longer as everyone’s opinion shall be heard and welcomed.
FINA President Husain al-Musallam joined the event via remote connection to address the LEN Congress.
“I would like to congratulate the LEN Family for the successful conclusion of this important Congress – it is important for the future of LEN and all the aquatics around the world” the FINA President said. “I believe it’s time to work as one family. Our goal should be to support the aquatic movement and our athlete with every single step we take. Everybody may have a different opinion, but we should be united to support the development of aquatics.”
FINA President concluded: “Europe is very important for the world – and the world needs the help of Europe. With the new president and his team, FINA count on Europe in supporting the development of aquatic sports.”
The new LEN Bureau
President: Antonio da Silva (POR)
General Secretary: Andida Bouma (NED)
Treasurer: Tomas Kucinskas (LTU)
Vice-Presidents: Kyriakos Giannopoulos (GRE), Christer Magnusson (SWE), Gilles Sezionale (FRA), Marco Troll (GER), Josip Varvodic (CRO)
Members: Jack Buckner (GBR), Ewen A Cameron (SUI), Fernando Carpena (ESP), Rokur i Jakupsstovu (FAR), Pia Johansen (DEN), Milos Mracevic (MNE), Petr Ryska (CZE), Erkan Yalcin (TUR), Noam Zwi (ISR)
FINA Bureau Members: Kyriakos Giannopoulos (GRE), Otylia Jedzrejczak (POL), Josip Varvodic (CRO), Sami Wahlman (FIN) – to be ratified by the FINA Bureau
