To celebrate International Women’s Day, World Aquatics heard from key figures in the sport about the progress and future of women in aquatics. World Aquatics has long committed to advancing gender equality at all levels - from grassroots participation to leadership positions. Today, we recognise the achievements of women across all aquatic disciplines and highlight their voices as they share their perspectives on the importance of creating equal opportunities for women, encouraging female role models and inspiring the next generation of athletes.
Voices from women leading the way in aquatics
Nicole Hoevertsz – Olympian in artistic swimming and IOC Executive Board Member
“Having spent much of my life in the world of aquatics, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of women’s involvement in sport. From my own experiences as an athlete to now serving on the IOC Executive Board, I’ve seen the tremendous progress we’ve made. However, we still have a long way to go.
"I believe that by investing in women at every level - from young swimmers to decision-makers - we are not just helping individuals, but enriching the sport as a whole.”
Alia Atkinson – Five-time Olympian, World Aquatics Bureau Member and Athlete Committee Chairperson
“Throughout my 19-year career in aquatics, I have witnessed a remarkable shift in how women are supported and empowered within sport. From early in my career, when opportunities for women in aquatics were limited, to now, as a member of the World Aquatics Board, I have seen the tremendous progress the world has made.
"I am proud to be contributing to this continued development, ensuring that women have a place in every aspect of aquatics - whether in the pool, in coaching, or in leadership positions.”
Evangelia Platanioti – Greece’s first-ever world champion in artistic swimming
“Becoming Greece’s first-ever world champion in artistic swimming was a proud moment, and
"I want to continue creating history to inspire young girls to take up the sport.
It is essential we help women to overcome barriers to participating in sport. I am grateful for the support I have received from everyone, but there is much more we need to do to give girls fair and equal access to sport at the grassroots level.”
Pernille Blume - Olympic champion and World Aquatics Bureau member
“Through my time as an athlete and now as a member of the World Aquatics Bureau, I’ve experienced first-hand how vital it is to create opportunities for women in aquatics at all levels.
"Being involved in initiatives like the Discover Water programme, I’ve seen the life-changing impact swimming can have on young girls. These programmes are not just about teaching a skill; they build confidence and resilience that extends far beyond the pool.
Through its development programmes, World Aquatics is proving why it is a world leader in sports. I am proud to be part of these efforts, ensuring that the opportunities I had as an athlete are available to every girl who dreams of swimming.”
Ranomi Kromowidjojo - Three-time Olympian and three-time Olympic gold medallist in swimming
“As a former athlete who has dedicated much of my life to the sport, I am acutely aware of the immense power of having female role models. It’s an incredible privilege to advocate for women’s involvement in aquatics, not just as competitors but as leaders. Through my work with World Aquatics after my sports career, I’ve connected with many people around the globe.
"From grassroots programmes to high-performance training, we must create opportunities for women at every stage of their careers.”
Bea Ortiz – Olympic gold medallist and leader in women’s water polo
“I am very proud of the growth of women’s water polo around the world. We are seeing more and more young girls from a wider variety of countries taking up the sport and more teams making it to the top events."
Winning Spain’s first Olympic gold medal in women’s water polo in Paris was the highlight of my career, something we have been striving and working towards for so long. I hope we can get the gold medal we came so close to winning earlier at the World Swimming Championships in Singapore later this year and that people start to realise the power women have in sport, especially in water polo.”
The experiences and insights of these athletes reflect the ongoing journey towards greater gender equality in global sports and beyond. World Aquatics remains dedicated to helping to achieve this goal, working to create a more inclusive and equitable future for all.