THE BUREAU

The Bureau shall consist of the President and thirty-nine (39) Bureau Members.

  • President: The President is elected by the Congress.   
  • Continental Representatives: Twenty-two (22) Bureau Members are elected by the Congress as continental representatives. They shall be distributed geographically and per gender as follows:

Africa: five (5), with no more than three (3) representatives of a single gender
America: five (5), with no more than three (3) representatives of a single gender;
Asia: five (5), with no more than three (3) representatives of a single gender;
Europe: five (5), with no more than three (3) representatives of a single gender; and
Oceania: two (2), with one (1) of each gender.

The following positions shall be filled from the above quota: five (5) Vice Presidents, one from each of the five Continents, including the First Vice President and the Second Vice President; and the Treasurer.

  • World-at-Large Bureau Members: Sixteen (16) additional Bureau Members are elected by the Congress as World-at-Large Bureau Members. They shall be distributed geographically and per gender as follows:

Africa: three (3), with no more than two (2) representatives of a single gender;
America: four (4), with no more than three (3) representatives of a single gender;
Asia: four (4), with no more than three (3) representatives of a single gender;
Europe: four (4), with no more than three (3) representatives of a single gender; and
Oceania: one (1), female or male.

  • Athletes Committee: The Chair of the Athletes Committee is ex officio a Bureau Member.

WORLD AQUATICS BUREAU MEMBERS

President

  1. Husain AL MUSALLAM

    President

    State of Kuwait
    Term: 2023-2031

    Captain Husain Al Musallam is a former swimmer for the Kuwaiti national team and a prominent international sports administrator. He is also a retired airline pilot. Currently, he serves as the Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Secretary General of the Kuwait Olympic Committee. Captain Al Musallam was the First Vice President of World Aquatics from 2015-2021 and has held the position of President since 2021.

First Vice President

  1. Matthew DUNN

    First Vice President

    Australia
    Term: 2025-2029

Second Vice President

  1. António SILVA

    Second Vice President

    The Portuguese Republic
    Term: 2025-2029

    António José Rocha Martins da Silva is a former competitive swimmer and water polo player from Portugal and a prominent sports administrator. He currently serves as President of European Aquatics, President of the Portuguese Swimming Federation, and Second Vice President of World Aquatics. António has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2017 and currently serves on the Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

Treasurer

  1. Dale NEUBURGER

    Treasurer

    United States of America
    Term: 2025-2029

    Dale Neuburger is a distinguished sports administrator from the United States with a long history of leadership in aquatic sports. He served as President of United States Aquatic Sports and USA Swimming from 1998 to 2002 and has held key roles with the Pan American Games and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, including Commissioner of Aquatics and Deputy Chef de Mission. Dale has held leadership positions within World Aquatics since 2000 and has served as its Treasurer since 2022. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2024 and currently serves on the World Aquatics Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

Vice President

  1. Maureen CROES

    Vice President

    Country of Aruba 
    Term: 2025-2029

    Maureen Croes is a longtime aquatics leader and educator from the Americas with more than 50 years of experience in the sport. She is a biology and chemistry teacher by profession and has served as President of the Continental Confederation of the Americas since 2019. Maureen has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2023 and currently serves on the Bureau as Vice President for the 2025–2029 term.

  2. Yasser Mohamed Ibrahim IDRIS

    Vice President

    Egypt
    Term: 2025-2029

    Yasser Mohamed Ibrahim Idris is a former water polo player and coach and a leading sports administrator in Egypt. He currently serves as President of the Egyptian Olympic Committee and President of the Egyptian Swimming Federation.
    Mr Idris graduated with a degree in civil engineering from Cairo University. Following his athletic career in water polo, he transitioned into coaching before moving into sports administration, where he has played a significant role in developing aquatic sports across Egypt and in representing the country internationally.
    Under his leadership, Egypt has successfully hosted several major World Aquatics events, reinforcing the nation’s standing as a capable and respected host on the global aquatic sports stage.

  3. Jihong ZHOU

    Vice President

    People’s Republic of China
    Term: 2025-2029

    Zhou Jihong is an Olympic diving champion and serves as President of both the China Swimming Association and the China Diving Association. She has been Vice President of World Aquatics since 2021 and is a member of the World Aquatics Bureau for the term 2025 to 2029.
    Zhou won the gold medal in the 10m platform at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games, becoming China’s first Olympic diving champion. She is also a World Championship medallist and has played a leading role in the development of diving and aquatic sports in China and internationally.

Executive Director

  1. Brent John NOWICKI

    Executive Director

    United States of America

    Brent John Nowicki is a legal professional and international sports administrator from the United States. Before joining World Aquatics, he served as Managing Counsel at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), having previously practised law privately in New York for seven years. Brent has been the Executive Director of World Aquatics since 2021.

Member

  1. Khaleel AL JABIR

    Member

    State of Qatar
    Term: 2025-2029

    Khaleel Al Jabir is a prominent sports administrator from Qatar and the President of the Qatar Swimming Association. He also serves as Executive Director of the Qatar Olympic Academy and is a former Sports Director at the Qatar Olympic Committee. Khaleel has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2017 and currently serves on the Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  2. Thauriya Ahmed Diria BHARMAL

    Member

    The United Republic of Tanzania
    Term: 2025-2029

    Thauriya Ahmed Diria Bharma is a Tanzanian sports leader and Women’s Representative on the African Aquatics Zone 3 Board. She has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2025, serving through 2029.
    Bharma is a passionate advocate for inclusion and empowerment in aquatic sports across Africa. She has championed opportunities for women and para-athletes, including pioneering Tanzania’s first Para-Swimming Championships. She is committed to ensuring that all athletes, regardless of gender or ability, have the opportunity in aquatics.

  3. Pernille BLUME

    Member

    Kingdom of Denmark
    Term: 2025-2029

    Pernille Blume OLY is an Olympic gold medallist, former swimmer for the Danish national team, entrepreneur, and advocate for athlete development. She currently serves on the World Aquatics Bureau for the 2025–2029 term and on the Bureau of European Aquatics, focusing on athlete well-being, leadership, and cultural change in sport. Through her work, she promotes holistic development, female empowerment, and sustainable opportunities for athletes worldwide.

  4. Dylan CARTER

    Member

    Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
    Term: 2025-2029

    Dylan Carter OLY is a three-time Olympian swimmer from Trinidad & Tobago and a prominent advocate for athletes. He currently serves on the World Aquatics Bureau for the 2025–2029 term and is the only actively competing athlete member. Dylan previously served on the World Aquatics Athletes’ Commission from 2022-2025. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from the University of Southern California and a Master’s in Sport Management from Texas A&M University.

  5. Monica Amon CHANGANAMUNO

    Member

    Republic of Malawi
    Term: 2025-2029

    Monica Chang’anamuno is a long-serving sports administrator from Malawi with extensive experience in aquatic sport governance. She has been a member of the Malawi Aquatic Union Executive Committee since 2013 and has served as its President and Bureau Member. Monica is also actively involved in the African Aquatics Bureau and Zone IV Aquatics. She has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2022 and currently serves on the Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  6. Mohamed DIOP

    Member

    Republic of Senegal
    Term: 2025-2029

    Dr. Mohamed Diop OLY is a former swimmer and Olympic athlete for Senegal and a prominent sports administrator. He has served as Secretary General of Africa Aquatics since 2021 and previously held positions as President of the Senegalese Swimming Federation and Vice-President of CANA. Dr. Diop has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021 and currently serves on the Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  7. Diana Haydee Geraldine DOMINGUEZ DE ROLON

    Member

    Paraguay
    Term: 2025-2029

  8. Zouheir EL MOUFTI

    Member

    Kingdom of Morocco
    Term: 2025-2029

    Zouheir El Moufti is a former professor of physical chemistry and a prominent sports administrator from Morocco. He currently serves as Secretary General of the Moroccan Swimming Federation, Vice President of Africa Aquatics, and Secretary General of the Arab Swimming Confederation. Zouheir has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021 and currently serves on the Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  9. Ana FORTIN

    Member

    Republic of Honduras
    Term: 2025-2029

    Ana Joselina Fortín is a former professor of physical chemistry and a prominent sports administrator from Honduras. She currently serves as President of the National Swimming Federation of Honduras and Vice President of the Honduran Olympic Committee. Ana is also Honorary Secretary of the World Aquatics Master Technical Committee. She has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021 and currently serves on the Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  10. Kyriakos GIANNOPOULOS

    Member

    Hellenic Republic
    Term: 2025-2029

    Kyriakos Giannopoulos OLY is a former elite water polo player who represented Greece at four Olympic Games. He currently serves as Vice President of LEN, European Aquatics, and President of the Hellenic Swimming Federation. Kyriakos has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2022 and currently serves on the Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  11. Cheryl GIBSON

    Member

    Canada
    Term: 2025-2029

    Cheryl Gibson OLY is an Olympic and World Championship medalist in swimming and a longtime sports administrator from Canada. She has volunteered with Swimming Canada since 1983 in roles including Athlete Representative, Board Chair, and President, and has served on the Board of Aquatics Canada since 2016. Cheryl has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021 and currently serves on the Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  12. Otylia JĘDRZEJCZAK

    Member

    Nationality: POL, Poland     

  13. Digamber Vasant KAMAT

    Member

    Republic of India
    Term: 2025-2029

    Digamber Kamat is a veteran sports administrator and business leader from India with decades of experience in developing aquatic and other sports. He has served as President of the Goa Badminton Association (1984–2011), President of the Goa Swimming Association (2011–2024), and President of the Swimming Federation of India (2007–2019). Digamber currently represents the Asian continent on the World Aquatics Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  14. Sarah KEANE

    Member

    Republic of Ireland
    Term: 2025-2029

    Sarah Keane is a sports administrator from Ireland with a background in law, holding an Honours Degree in Law. She currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Swim Ireland and is a Bureau member of European Aquatics. Sarah has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021 and currently serves on the Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  15. Somsak LEESWADTRAKUL

    Member

    Kingdom of Thailand
    Term: 2025-2029

    Somsak Leeswadtrakul is a prominent sports administrator and business leader from Thailand. He is the Founder and Honorary Chairman of G Steel Group, a former Senator, and serves as Director of the Mahidol University Council and Chair of the National Doping Control Centre for Athletes. Somsak has been recognized with the Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant and the Knight of the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great. He currently serves on the World Aquatics Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  16. Shakhnoza MIRZIYOEVA

    Member

    Republic of Uzbekistan
    Term: 2025-2029

    Shakhnoza Mirziyoeva is a prominent sports and social development leader from Uzbekistan. She currently serves as First Deputy Director of the National Agency for Social Protection under the President of Uzbekistan and First Vice President of the National Paralympic Committee of Uzbekistan, where she leads initiatives to advance the Paralympic movement and para-sport development. Shakhnoza currently serves on the World Aquatics Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  17. Jace NAIDOO

    Member

    Republic of South Africa
    Term: 2025-2029

    Jace Naidoo is a former competitive swimmer and water polo player from South Africa and a respected sports administrator. He currently serves as Secretary General of Africa Aquatics and is a former President of Swimming South Africa and Board Member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee. Jace holds a Master of Science in Occupational Hygiene from the United Kingdom and works as a SHEQ executive in the energy sector. He currently serves on the World Aquatics Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  18. Judy OTTO

    Member

    Palau
    Term: 2025-2029

    Judy Buster has a lifelong involvement in aquatic sports, beginning as a competitive swimmer and later as an artistic swimmer at the university level before transitioning into swimming education and administration.
    In 1998, she co-founded the Palau Swimming Association, now known as Palau Aquatics, and has served the organisation for nearly three decades as an instructor, coach, and administrator. She has played a central role in the development and governance of aquatic sports in Palau and across the Oceania region.
    Ms Buster currently serves as a Member of the World Aquatics Bureau, Vice President of Oceania Aquatics, President of Palau Aquatics, and Treasurer of the Palau National Olympic Committee.
    Outside of sport, she is active in community leadership, serving as President of the Palau Animal Welfare Society and Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Palau. Professionally, she holds a doctoral degree in Public Health and is the founder of JBO Development Services, a consulting firm specialising in public health and sustainable development.

  19. Joo Hee PARK

    Member

    Republic of Korea
    Term: 2025-2029
    Joo Hee Park, Ph.D. is a sports administrator from South Korea and a member of the Olympic Council of Asia. She currently serves as Vice-Chairperson of the Entourage Committee of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee. Joo Hee has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2022 and currently serves on the Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  20. Camelia POTEC

    Member

  21. Mohsen REZVANI

    Member

    Islamic Republic of Iran
    Term: 2025-2029

    Mohsen Rezvani is a former elite water polo player from Iran and a long-serving sports administrator. He represented Iran’s national water polo team for 16 years, serving as team captain for eight, and competed in five Asian Games while earning multiple medals in Asian Water Polo Championships and club competitions. Mohsen has served as President of Iran Aquatics since 2013 and held positions on the World Aquatics Coaches Committee (2013–2016) and the Technical Water Polo Committee (2022–2025). He has also been a Bureau member of Asia Aquatics (2021–2024) and currently serves on the World Aquatics Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  22. Donald RUKARE (DR)

    Member

    Republic of Uganda
    Term: 2025-2029

    Dr. Donald Rukare is a prominent sports administrator from Uganda. He currently serves as President of the Uganda Olympic Committee and as Vice President of both the Commonwealth Games Federation and Africa Aquatics. Dr. Rukare has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021 and currently serves on the Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  23. Jorge SOTO

    Member

    Republic of Colombia
    Term: 2025-2029

    Jorge Enrique Soto Roldan is a sports management professional from Colombia, with more than 15 years of experience leading major international events, including The World Games and the Junior Pan American Games. He is recognised for his expertise in strategic leadership, event operations, and international relations, and has received awards for excellence in sports leadership. Jorge Enrique currently serves on the World Aquatics Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  24. Daichi SUZUKI

    Member

    Japan
    Term: 2025-2029

    Daichi Suzuki OLY is a former competitive swimmer and Olympic gold medalist from Japan. He won gold in the 100m backstroke at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and represented Japan at two Olympic Games. Daichi currently serves as Vice President of Asia Aquatics, Chair of the Japan Swimming Federation, and Professor and Associate Dean at Juntendo University. He was Japan’s first Chief Commissioner of the Sports Agency (2015–2020) and has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2017. Daichi was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2021 and currently serves on the World Aquatics Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  25. Kwai Mae TANG

    Member

    Malaysia
    Term: 2025-2029

    Mae Tang is a sports administrator from Malaysia with extensive experience in aquatic sport governance. She currently serves as Secretary General of Malaysia Swimming and Honorary Secretary of the Kuala Lumpur Swimming Association. Mae is a member of the World Aquatics Technical Swimming Committee and has served as Technical Delegate at major international events. She has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021 and currently serves on the Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  26. Radhames TAVAREZ

    Member

    Dominican Republic
    Term: 2025-2029

    Rafael Radhames Tavarez is a sports administrator and legal professional from the Dominican Republic. He currently serves as President of the Dominican Federation of Aquatic Sports (FEDODA) and Vice President of PanAm Aquatics, promoting the development of aquatic sports at the regional and international levels. Rafael has also served as Vice President of the Executive Committee of the Dominican Olympic Committee, a lawyer for the Central Electoral Board, and a professor at APEC University for over two decades. He currently serves on the World Aquatics Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  27. Fernando TERRILLI

    Member

  28. Doreen TIBORCZ

    Member

    Republic of Mauritius
    Term: 2025-2029

    Doreen Tiborcz is a sports administrator from Mauritius. She served as President of the Mauritius Swimming Federation from 2008 to 2013 and has chaired the CANA Masters Technical Commission. Doreen has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021 and currently serves on the Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  29. Vanja UDOVIČIĆ

    Member

    Republic of Serbia
    Term: 2025-2029

    Vanja Udovičić is a former elite water polo player from Serbia and a celebrated sports administrator. Over a 15-season career, he helped lead Serbia to two World Championship titles, earned three Olympic medals, World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup gold and two European Aquatics Euroleague titles. Vanja served as Serbia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, driving advancements across national sport, and has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021. He currently serves on the Bureau for the 2025–2029 term.

  30. Josip VARVODIC

    Member

    Republic of Croatia
    Term: 2025-2029

    Josip Varvodic is the President of the Croatian Swimming Federation and the First Vice President of European Aquatics. A respected international sports administrator and a leading figure in Croatian aquatic sports, he has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2022. He will serve his current term from 2025 to 2029.
    Beyond his contributions to sport, Dr Varvodic is a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at the Department of Cardiac and Transplantation Surgery at University Hospital Zagreb, Croatia. His dual commitment to excellence in both medicine and sport reflects his lifelong dedication to service, leadership, and the development of aquatic disciplines in Croatia and beyond.

  31. John WEST

    Member

    New Zealand
    Term: 2025-2029

    John West is a senior broadcast executive with extensive experience in the production and coverage of major international sporting events, including the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cups, Rugby World Cups, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games. He currently serves as the General Secretary of Oceania Aquatics and has been a long-standing member of the World Aquatics Technical Open Water Swimming Committee, where he contributes his expertise as an experienced Open Water Swimming referee.
    In addition to his leadership roles in aquatic sports, Mr West holds a Master of Business Administration from Henley Management College (UK). His term as a member of the World Aquatics Bureau runs from 2025 to 2029.

  32. Sándor WLADÁR

    Member

    Republic of Hungary
    Term: 2025-2029

    Sándor Wladár is an Olympic champion, a leading international sports administrator, and President of the Hungarian Swimming Federation. He also serves as Vice President of the Hungarian Olympic Committee and as a Bureau Member of European Aquatics. Mr Wladár has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2023 and will serve his current term from 2025 to 2029.
    A celebrated athlete, Wladár won the gold medal in the 200m backstroke at the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games. He was named European Swimmer of the Year and Hungarian Sportsman of the Year in 1981 and is a 22-time Hungarian national champion.

  33. Erkan YALCIN

    Member

    Republic of Türkiye
    Term: 2025-2029

    Erkan Yalcin is the President of the Türkiye Swimming Federation and Vice President of European Aquatics. He has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2025, serving his current term from 2025 to 2029.
    Since assuming the presidency of the Türkiye Swimming Federation in 2017, Yalcın has worked to advance swimming development in Türkiye and strengthen the international profile of Turkish aquatic sport. He is also the founder of 32 Net Information Technologies Ltd., a company providing information technology services across Türkiye.

Budapest Headquarter Liaison

  1. Daniel GYURTA

    Budapest Headquarter Liaison

TERMS OF OFFICE

The term of office of a Bureau Member (excluding the President for whom Article 20.3 applies) is four (4) years, renewable twice. Terms served are calculated cumulatively, irrespective of any interruption of the service.

RIGHT AND DUTIES

According to the World Aquatics Constitution, the rights and duties of the Bureau shall include the following:

  1. to discuss and make decisions on all matters assigned to the Bureau by the Congress;
  2. to interpret, implement and enforce this Constitution and the World Aquatics Rules;
  3. to adopt or amend the World Aquatics Rules and establish rules of order for the meetings of the Congress, Bureau, Committees, etc., in compliance with this Constitution;
  4. to issue administrative directives, including notably but without limitation in regard to time and manner of payment of any financial obligation;
  5. to issue and publish regulations for World Aquatics competitions and events;
  6. to decide and take action on any matter pertaining to the affairs of World Aquatics, in cases which are not delegated to another
    specific body;
  7. to submit proposals and recommendations to the Congress, including for amendments to this Constitution;
  8. to decide on World Aquatics awards;
  9. to review and approve the minutes of a Congress;
  10. to make decisions in case of emergency and in any situation in which no other World Aquatics body may act;
  11. to approve the title of international referee, starter, or judge on presentation of candidates certified by the World Aquatics Technical Committees. These titles are to be awarded to the Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Diving, High Diving, Water Polo and Artistic Swimming referees, starters, and judges who have received satisfactory marks for their officiating at major international competitions;
  12. to determine the dates and sites of the World Championships and other major World Aquatics competitions and events;
  13. to organise and control all Aquatics competitions at the Olympic Games and World Aquatics competitions and events;
  14. to issue and publish regulations for Agents, to ensure that the interests of Athletes are duly protected and that no conflict of interest nor manipulation issues may arise;
  15. to remove an Athlete from an Aquatics competition and/or take any other appropriate measure if such participation poses a risk for the health and safety of such Athlete or any competitors;
  16. to appoint and instruct the World Aquatics Committees as well as to control their activities and duties;
  17. to appoint delegates to the Olympic Games, other World Aquatics competitions and events, and other international competitions;
  18. to appoint and dismiss the Executive Director upon proposal by the President;
  19. to implement and develop World Aquatics' mission, strategic direction, polices and values, in particular, with regard to the organisation and development of Aquatics at a worldwide level;
  20. to oversee the overall management of World Aquatics by the Executive Director;
  21. to approve the annual budget and annual audited Financial Statements, prepared by the World Aquatics Office, under the supervision of the Treasurer and reviewed by the Audit Committee;
  22. to appoint the chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and members of the Committees with the exception of those who are elected by the Congress or by the Athlete Committee, in accordance with this Constitution, as well as to support and control their activities;
  23. to propose to the Congress for election the members of the Supervisory Council, Adjudicatory Body, Investigatory Body Anti-Doping Advisory Body, the Audit Committee and the External Auditors;
  24. to support, endorse and implement the work and the decisions of the AQIU;
  25. to propose to the Congress a relocation of the World Aquatics headquarters;
  26. to decide the location of World Aquatics high level training and development centres, including any World Aquatics regional office.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

World Aquatics Bureau - Terms of Reference