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

    Nationality: KUW, Kuwait

    Captain Husain Al Musallam is a former swimmer for the Kuwaiti national team, a leading international sports administrator and a retired airline pilot. He currently serves as the Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Secretary General of the Kuwait Olympic Committee. Captain Al Musallam has been First Vice President of World Aquatics since 2015 and served as its President since 2021.

First Vice President

  1. Sam RAMSAMY

    First Vice President

    Nationality: RSA, South Africa

    Sam Ramsamy holds leadership roles in various swimming organizations, including African Swimming. His career spans coaching at the national level, consultancy for the United Nations, and significant involvement in Olympic and Commonwealth Games administration, including serving as Chef de Mission. Sam has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 1996 and the 1st Vice President of World Aquatics since 2021.

Second Vice President

  1. Matthew DUNN

    Second Vice President

    Nationality: AUS, Australia

Treasurer

  1. Dale NEUBURGER

    Treasurer

    Nationality: USA, United States of America  

    Dale Neuburger served as President of United States Aquatic Sports and USA Swimming 1998 to 2002. His contributions extend to the Pan American Games and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, where he held positions such as Commissioner of Aquatics and Deputy Chef de Mission. Dale Neuburger has leadership role within World Aquatics since 2000 and served as Treasurer since 2022, and is a 2024 inductee into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Vice President

  1. Juan Carlos ORIHUELA

    Vice President

    Nationality: PRY, Paraguay  

    Juan Carlos Orihuela Garcete is the President of the Latin Swimming Confederation (COLAN). His roles include Secretary General of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee and President of the Paraguayan Aquatics Sports Federation. Juan Carlos has been the Vice President of World Aquatics since 2021.

  2. António SILVA

    Vice President

    Nationality: POR, Portugal

    António José Rocha Martins da Silva is a former competitive swimmer and water polo player. He serves as the President of LEN European Aquatics and President of the Portuguese Swimming Federation. Antonio is the Vice President of World Aquatics and has been a World Aquatics Bureau Member since 2017.

  3. Jihong ZHOU

    Vice President

    Nationality: CHN, People’s Republic of China  

    Zhou Jihong is an Olympic diving champion and President of the China Swimming Association and China Diving Association. She has been the Vice President of World Aquatics since 2021.

Member

  1. Khaleel AL JABIR

    Member

    Nationality: QAT, Qatar

    Khaleel Al Jabir is the President of the Qatar Swimming Association. He is also the Executive Director of the Qatar Olympic Academy and former Sports Director at the Qatar Olympic Committee. Khaleel has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2017.

  2. Taha Sulaiman AL KISHRY

    Member

    Nationality: OMA, Oman

  3. Alia ATKINSON

    Member

    Nationality: JAM, Jamaica

    Alia Atkinson is a Jamaican World Record holder and a former Olympic swimmer. She is also a Board Member of Panam Aquatics. Alia has been a Bureau Member and Athlete Committee Chairperson since 2022.

  4. Pernille BLUME

    Member

    Nationality: DEN, Denmark

    Pernille Blume is a former Danish Olympic swimmer and World Champion. Pernille has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2024.

  5. Algernon CARGILL

    Member

    Nationality: BAH, Bahamas  

    Algernon Cargill is the President of the Bahamas Aquatics Federation and the former Vice President of The Bahamas Olympic Committee. Algernon has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2016.

  6. Fernando CARPENA

    Member

    Nationality: ESP, Spain  

    Fernando Carpena Perez has competed in national leagues as both a swimmer and water polo player. Additionally, he holds a Law Degree from Universidad Complutense and serves as a Professor of Sports Law at the University of Physical Science (INEF) Madrid. Fernando was a member of the World Aquatics Bureau from 2013 to 2017 and from 2021 to the present.

  7. Monica Amon CHANGANAMUNO

    Member

    Nationality: MAW, Malawi

    Monica Chang’anamuno has been a member of the Malawi Aquatic Union Executive Committee since 2013. Since then, she has remained actively involved in various aquatic organizations, including the African Aquatics Bureau, Zone IV Aquatics. Additionally, she has served as the President and Bureau Member of the Malawi Aquatic Union. Monica has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2022.

  8. Mark CHAY

    Member

    Nationality: SGP, Singapore  

    Mark Chay is the Chief Development Officer at the Global Esports Federation and the current President of Singapore Aquatics. Mark has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2023.

  9. Errol CLARKE

    Member

    Nationality: BAR, Barbados

    Errol E. Clarke combines a five-decade civil engineering career with significant contributions to aquatic sports. He has served as a Technical Delegate and referee at major events, including the Olympics, and has held positions as Vice President and Secretary Treasurer of the Amateur Swimming Union of the Americas. Errol has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2013.

  10. Maureen CROES

    Member

    Nationality: ARU, Aruba 

    Maureen Croes a biology / chemistry teacher by trade and President of the Continental Confederation of the Americas since 2019. She has been involved in Aquatics for more than 50 years. Maureen has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2023.

  11. Mohamed DIOP

    Member

    Nationality: SEN, Senegal   

    Dr. Mohamed Diop, a former national swimmer and Olympic participant for Senegal, is the Secretary General of Africa Aquatics since 2021. He has previously held positions as the President of the Senegalese Swimming Federation and Vice-President of CANA. Dr. Diop has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021.

  12. Zouheir EL MOUFTI

    Member

    Nationality: MAR, Morocco

    Zouheir El Moufti, a former Professor of Physical Chemistry, is the current Secretary General of the Moroccan Swimming Federation. He also serves as the 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.

  13. Ana FORTIN

    Member

    Nationality: HON, Honduras   

    Ana Joselina Fortín, a former Professor of Physical Chemistry, is the current President of the National Swimming Federation of Honduras and the Vice President of the Honduran Olympic Committee. She is also the Honorary Secretary to the World Aquatics Master Technical Committee. Ana has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021.

  14. Kyriakos GIANNOPOULOS

    Member

    Nationality: GRE, Greece    

    Kyriakos Giannopoulos is a former elite water polo player who has competed in four Olympic Games with Greece's National Water Polo Team. He also serves as the Vice President of LEN, European Aquatics and the President of the Hellenic Swimming Federation.  Kyriakos has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2022.

  15. Cheryl GIBSON

    Member

    Nationality: CAN, Canada   

    Cheryl Gibson, an Olympic and World medalist, has volunteered with Swimming Canada since 1983 in various capacities, including Athlete Representative, Board Chair, and President. She has been on the Board of Aquatics Canada since 2016. Cheryl has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021.

  16. Farida A. IDDRISS

    Member

    Nationality: GHA, Ghana     

    Ayishatu Farida Iddriss holds a Master of Arts in Sport Ethics and Integrity from Swansea University. She has been the Administrative Manager at the Ghana Olympic Committee since March 2021. She serves as a Technical Advisor for the African Games 2023. Farida has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2022.

  17. Yasser Mohamed Ibrahim IDRIS

    Member

    Nationality: EGY, Egypt     

  18. Otylia JĘDRZEJCZAK

    Member

    Nationality: POL, Poland     

  19. Romani KATOA

    Member

    Nationality: COK, Cook Islands 

    Romani Katoa has served as the Vice President for Oceania Aquatics and President of the Cook Island Aquatics Federation since 2009. Romani has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2019.

  20. Sarah KEANE

    Member

    Nationality: IRL, Ireland       

    Sarah Keane, holding an Honours Degree in Law, is the Chief Executive Officer of Swim Ireland. She is also a Bureau member of the LEN European Aquatics. Sarah has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021.

  21. Somsak LEESWADTRAKUL

    Member

  22. Virendra NANAVATI

    Member

    Nationality: IND, India       

    Virendra Nanavati, with a background as a swimmer and water polo player, has over 35 years in sports administration. General Secretary of the Swimming Federation of India for nearly three decades, he is also the Senior Vice President of Asia Aquatics since 2021. Virendra has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021.

  23. Luiz Fernando OLIVEIRA

    Member

    Nationality: BRA, Brazil       

    Luiz Fernando Coelho De Oliveira is the President of the Brazilian Swimming Federation. He has held security roles at various international sporting events, including the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Luiz has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2022.

  24. Judy OTTO

    Member

    Nationality: PLW, Palau 

  25. Joo Hee PARK

    Member

    Nationality: KOR, Republic of Korea  

    Joo Hee Park, Ph.D., is the Vice-Chairperson of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee's Entourage Committee. She is also a member of the Olympic Council of Asia. Joo Hee has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2022.

  26. Donald RUKARE (DR)

    Member

    Nationality: UGA, Uganda  

    Dr. Donald Rukare, President of the Uganda Olympic Committee, serves as Vice President for both the Commonwealth Games Federation and Africa Aquatics. Dr. Rukare has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021.

  27. Veronica STANHAM

    Member

    Nationality: URU, Uruguay 

    Verónica Hilda Stanham Vanrell, a former elite field hockey player for Uruguay, has been President of the Uruguay Swimming Federation since 2014. She is also the founder and CEO of Diverol S.A. Veronica has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021.

  28. Daichi SUZUKI

    Member

    Nationality: JPN, Japan

    Daichi Suzuki, Olympic gold medalist, is a Vice President with Asia Aquatics. Daichi has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2017.

  29. Kwai Mae TANG

    Member

    Nationality: MAS, Malaysia

    Mae Tang is the Secretary General of Malaysia Swimming and Honorary Secretary of the Kuala Lumpur Swimming Association. As a World Aquatics Technical Swimming Committee member, she has served as Technical Delegate at key international events. Mae has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021.

  30. Doreen TIBORCZ

    Member

    Nationality: MRI, Mauritius

    Doreen Tiborcz served as President of the Mauritius Swimming Federation from 2008 to 2013. She expanded her influence in aquatic sports by chairing the CANA Masters Technical Commission. Doreen has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021.

  31. Vanja UDOVIČIĆ

    Member

    Nationality: SRB, Serbia

    Vanja Udovičić is a Serbian sports legend who has excelled in water polo. With a 15-season career, he won two LEN Euroleague titles and led Serbia to Olympic and World Championship victories. As former Minister of Youth and Sports, he drove advancements in Serbian sports.  Vanja has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2021.

  32. Erik VAN HEIJNINGEN

    Member

    Nationality: NED, Netherlands

    Erik Van Heijningen is the Honorary President of the Royal Dutch Swimming Federation since 2017. He has a professional background as a public prosecutor, counsellor of state, and various political roles in the Netherlands. He has contributed to World Aquatics since 2009, formerly serving as Chairman of the FINA Doping Panel. Erik has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2013.

  33. Josip VARVODIC

    Member

    Nationality: CRO, Croatia

    Josip Varvodic is the President of Croatian Swimming Federation and the First Vice President of LEN European Aquatics. He is also a consultant cardio thoracic surgeon at Department of Cardiac and Transplantation surgery at University Hospital Zagreb, Croatia. Josip has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2022.

  34. Sándor WLADÁR

    Member

    Nationality: HUN, Hungary

    Sándor Wladár is an Olympic champion and President of the Hungarian Swimming Federation. He is also Vice President of the Hungarian Olympic Committee and Bureau Member of the LEN European Aquatics . Sándor has been a member of the World Aquatics Bureau since 2023.

Executive Director

  1. Brent John NOWICKI

    Executive Director

    Nationality: USA, United States of America  

    Brent John Nowicki was a former Managing Counsel at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). He joined the CAS in 2013 after 7 years as a private practicing attorney in New York.  Brent has been the Executive Director of World Aquatics since 2021.

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.