During the final week of a record-breaking World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, the global aquatics community gathered for the World Aquatics General Congress 2025. With 206 nations competing, a historic majority of female athletes, and the Championships being held in Southeast Asia for the first time, this year’s Congress carried particular significance.
From emotional farewells to bold reforms, the Congress highlighted World Aquatics’ commitment to inclusivity, innovation and the long-term well-being of its athletes.
A Tribute to Service and a Fond Farewell
The Congress opened with a moment of silence in memory of Romani Katoa, Vice President of Oceania Aquatics and a member of the World Aquatics Bureau, who recently passed away.
The tone of reflection then shifted to a figure who has made a profound impact on global sport over the past three decades: Sam Ramsamy, stepping down after an extraordinary 29-year tenure as a World Aquatics Bureau Member, including service as First Vice President since 2021. An anti-apartheid pioneer and a champion of sport as a force for change, Ramsamy was honoured with the World Aquatics Order of Merit, presented by IOC Honorary President for Life Thomas Bach.
“Mr Ramsamy, you are a great friend to all of us,” said Bach. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for athletes, for sport, for humanity, and for swimming.”
Bach’s words were echoed by IOC President Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe, who paid her own personal tribute:
“I am proud of you, Sam. Africa is proud of you. You have united us and made us feel as one,” she said.
Adding to her remarks, Coventry thanked World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam and the World Aquatics Bureau for their ongoing efforts to advance aquatic sports. She also expressed her delight at being back among familiar friends and faces in the global aquatics community.
“It’s an incredible moment for me to be back with the family that it all started with, to look around the room and see many familiar faces…you will always have a friend in me.”
An Emotional Surprise for IOC President Kirsty Coventry
The presence of IOC President Kirsty Coventry marked a historic moment—the first time a former Olympic champion swimmer has addressed the World Aquatics General Congress in her role as IOC President.
To acknowledge this milestone, World Aquatics honoured her with its prestigious Honorary Order, recognising her lifelong contributions to the sport both in and out of the pool. As she stood on stage, an emotional surprise unfolded: her long-time coach Kim Brackin—who accompanied her to four Olympic Games—joined her on stage, followed by Susie O’Neill, the eight-time Olympic medallist affectionately known as “Madame Butterfly.”
IOC President Coventry was visibly moved.
In her reflections, she stated, “I am so proud to come from this family. Thank you from the Olympic Movement - we will be a strong partner of all of yours, we look forward to ensuring the Olympic Games remain the greatest platform for athletes to compete, and I am looking forward to a bright future with all of you.”
Singapore on the Global Stage
The host city’s role was highlighted by Mark Chay, World Aquatics Bureau Member and Co-Chair of the Singapore 2025 Organising Committee, who welcomed delegates and acknowledged the trust placed in Singapore.
“We are deeply grateful to World Aquatics for trusting us to host these Championships,” Chay said.
“We do not take that trust lightly. We are surrounded by water, shaped by water and thriving because of water,” Chay added. “This event is meaningful – not only because it is the first in Southeast Asia, but because it coincides with Singapore’s SG60 celebrations. It has been an amazing competition so far and we are not done yet. If you have not lost your voice yet from cheering, then now is the time to do so.”
World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam Outlines a New Era of Athlete Support
During the Congress, President Al Musallam delivered a heartfelt and forward-looking address, with an athlete-focused vision evident throughout.
“We have made a difference, we have changed lives for the better, we have made reforms that have modernised our Federation and will protect us for the future,” he said.
“When I was elected, I made an important promise, I told you I would always put the athletes first. This is easy to say but they mean nothing unless they are supported by action. We have taken that action and we can be proud that we continue to deliver on this promise.”
President Al Musallam pointed to the success of World Aquatics programmes, such as the Scholarship Programme which has grown from 87 athletes in 2021 to 111 in 2024, and the coaching programme, which has seen graduates increase from 15 in 2021 to an astonishing 346 in 2024. He confirmed the opening of a seventh World Aquatics Training Centre later this year in Bahrain, and outlined the ongoing Pools for All initiative, which delivered its first facility in Bhutan in 2024, with further pools under construction in the Maldives, Grenada and five African nations.
One of the most significant announcements came with the launch of a groundbreaking new initiative: the World Aquatics Post-Career Compensation Fund.
“We speak a lot about what we can do to support athletes during their careers, but what about after they retire from competing?” said President Al Musallam. “We know that athletes face real challenges once their careers come to an end – it’s a major change in their lives and often in their income too.”
“Our Development Team is already providing advice and support to help athletes plan for life after sport, but we want to do more. We want to support them financially as well.
“World Aquatics will become the first International Federation to introduce a compensation plan for athletes at the end of their careers,” added the World Aquatics President. “We will invest USD 10 million in this programme, supporting athletes from the start of their careers to well beyond.”
The fund will provide financial support to athletes upon retirement, based on their sustained participation in World Aquatics events. Those who meet qualification thresholds will receive contributions tied to prize earnings, and a final lump sum upon retirement, helping to ease the often-difficult transition out of elite sport.
Global Aquatics Community Votes on its Representatives
During Congressional proceedings, the National Federations attending overwhelmingly approved the new World Aquatics Bureau and World Aquatics Vice Presidents. Read more about those election results here.
Future Events and Growing Global Partnerships
The Congress also confirmed two major events on the horizon for the international aquatics calendar. Hosting of the 2026 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) was awarded to Beijing, China, reaffirming the city’s strong legacy in hosting world-class aquatics competitions. This marks the second time the Chinese capital will hold the 25m Championships, following a successful edition in 2014, underscoring Beijing’s continued commitment to aquatic sports at the highest level.
In addition, the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup will be reimagined as the Silk Road World Cup in 2026. This will see the Swimming World Cup staged across multiple cities in the region with a refreshed format that aims to celebrate regional collaboration, enhance athlete experience, and expand fan engagement across a broader geographical footprint.
Representatives from the Organising Committee of the World Aquatics Championships – Budapest 2027 delivered a compelling preview of the upcoming event, including an introduction to the planned competition venues. The three-week aquatic festival—which will feature both elite and masters competitions—is scheduled to take place from 26 June to 18 July 2027.
President Al Musallam followed the competition updates by highlighting the growth of World Aquatics’ digital reach, which has tripled over the past four years to more than six million online followers. He also noted the addition of new global sponsors, SONY and 361°, further strengthening the organisation’s commercial portfolio.
“We’ve delivered nine major events in the last four years, and we are better connected to our fans than ever before,” noted President Al Musallam.
A Foundation for the Future of Aquatics
World Aquatics Executive Director Brent Nowicki took the stage to announce the launch of the World Aquatics Foundation, a new initiative designed to address global challenges related to water safety, environmental sustainability, and equitable access to sport.
The Foundation will support scholarships and training opportunities for athletes from developing countries, helping to ensure that financial barriers do not hinder the development of promising talent.
Nowicki also provided further details on the Post-Career Compensation Fund, describing it as a sustainable, multi-source initiative supported by World Aquatics, corporate partners, investment returns, and the newly established Foundation.
World Aquatics’ Strong Financial and Ethical Standing in Sport
World Aquatics Treasurer Dale Neuburger presented the federation’s financial results for 2024, highlighting a record-breaking year that reinforces the organisation’s long-term stability and commitment to global sport development.
Total revenue for the year reached $107.83 million USD, while net surplus stood at $51.17 million USD—a reflection of strong financial management, diversified income streams, and continued growth. Total assets increased to $241.51 million USD, further strengthening the federation’s position among international sports governing bodies.
In 2024, more than $28.7 million USD was invested directly into development programmes worldwide. This included nearly $4 million USD allocated to pool construction projects, over $12.6 million USD in athlete prize money, and more than $2 million USD in athlete scholarships.
Additionally, World Aquatics invested over $3.7 million USD into anti-doping and integrity initiatives—an area of increasing importance for the organisation. These efforts are supported by the World Aquatics Integrity Unit, which operates independently to oversee anti-doping, competition manipulation, ethical compliance, and safeguarding. The strong commitment to integrity and clean sport remains a cornerstone of the federation’s global mission.