During a record-breaking World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025, competing athletes had the chance to vote for their new representatives on the World Aquatics Athletes Committee 2025-2029, in an election period that ran from 5 to 30 July.
The Athletes’ Committee acts as the voice of athletes within World Aquatics, influencing key decisions and ensuring their perspectives are heard at the highest levels of the sport. The Chair of the Athletes’ Committee holds an ex-officio seat on the World Aquatics Bureau and Executive, guaranteeing direct athlete representation in executive discussions.
Overall, 20 athletes were elected, with gender balance and global representation at the heart of the process.
- Swimming: One male and one female from each continent
- Open Water Swimming: One male and one female
- Diving: One male and one female
- High Diving: One male and one female
- Artistic Swimming: One male and one female
- Water Polo: One male and one female
These newly elected members will help to shape the future of aquatic sports, ensuring that athletes’ voices remain central to decision-making.
Athletes Committee 2025-2029 – Elected Members
|
Name |
Gender |
Sport |
Continent (Country) |
|
Siwakhile DLAMINI
|
Female |
Swimming |
Africa (SWZ) |
|
Collins SALIBOKO
|
Male |
Swimming |
Africa (TAN) |
|
Alexia SOTOMAYOR
|
Female |
Swimming |
Americas (PER) |
|
Jorge Andres IGA CESAR
|
Male |
Swimming |
Americas (MEX) |
|
Siobhan HAUGHEY
|
Female |
Swimming |
Asia (HKG) |
|
Shun WANG
|
Male |
Swimming |
Asia (CHN) |
|
Simona RUSHTON
|
Female |
Swimming |
Europe (CZE) |
|
Felix AUBOECK
|
Male |
Swimming |
Europe (AUT) |
|
Cheyenne ROVA
|
Female |
Swimming |
Oceania (FIJ) |
|
Wesley Tikiarik ROBERTS
|
Male |
Swimming |
Oceania (COK) |
|
Ana Marcela CUNHA
|
Female |
Open Water |
Americas (BRA) |
|
David FARINANGO BERRU
|
Male |
Open Water |
Americas (ECU) |
|
Ona CARBONELL BALLESTERO
|
Female |
Artistic Swimming |
Europe (ESP) |
|
Bill MAY
|
Male |
Artistic Swimming |
Americas (USA) |
|
Melissa WU
|
Female |
Diving |
Oceania (AUS) |
|
Jack LAUGHER
|
Male |
Diving |
Europe (GBR) |
|
Ginni VAN KATWIJK
|
Female |
High Diving |
Europe (NED) |
|
Catalin-Petru PREDA
|
Male |
High Diving |
Europe (ROU) |
|
Rita KESZTHELYI
|
Female |
Water Polo |
Europe (HUN) |
|
Marko BIJAC
|
Male |
Water Polo |
Europe (CRO) |
Appointed & Honorary Members
Alongside the elected representatives, the World Aquatics Bureau has confirmed the appointment of several members to further support the Committee’s work, as well as naming honorary members in recognition of exceptional service to aquatic sports and athlete advocacy.
Appointed members
|
Name |
Gender |
Sport |
Continent (Country) |
|
Dmitriy BALANDIN
|
Male |
Swimming |
Asia (KAZ) |
|
Zach PICTON
|
Male |
High Diving |
Oceania (AUS) |
|
Moritz WESEMANN
|
Male |
Diving |
Europe (GER) |
|
Maggie STEFFENS
|
Female |
Water Polo |
Americas (USA) |
|
Jacqueline SIMONEAU
|
Female |
Artistic Swimming |
Americas (CAN) |
|
Sharon van ROUWENDAAL
|
Female |
Open Water |
Europe (NED) |
Honorary members
|
Name |
Gender |
Sport |
Continent (Country) |
|
Jamila LUNKUSE
|
Female |
Swimming |
Africa (UGA) |
|
Ranomi KROMOWIDJOJO
|
Female |
Swimming |
Europe (NED) |
|
Yona KNIGHT-WISDOM
|
Male |
Diving |
Americas (JAM) |
|
Nicolo MARTINENGHI
|
Male |
Swimming |
Europe (ITA) |
|
Katsuyuki TANAMURA
|
Male |
Water Polo |
Asia (JPN) |
|
Issac COOPER
|
Male |
Swimming |
Oceania (AUS) |
As a representative of Swimming on the IOC Athletes' Commission, Federica Pellegrini (ITA) also serves as a member of the World Aquatics Athletes Committee.