ICF Congress Concludes in St. Petersburg with a newly Elected 2nd Vice President

St. Petersburg, Russia – In the much anticipated election for the position of 2nd Vice President Joao da Costa Alegre of Sao Tome Principe defeated the incumbent, Australian Richard Fox, by 52 votes to 40.

The election which was carried out during the 34th International Canoe Federation (ICF) Ordinary Congress was the most decisive of the positions up for election.

Elected to the position 4 years previously, Fox was seen by many as progressive on the evolution of the Olympic program and on improving the ICF’s position on gender equity.

Da Costa Alegre may have benefitted from votes from the African, Asian and American continents, who are eager to have stronger continental representation on the ICF Executive Committee.

Fox congratulates da Costa Alegre on being elected ICF 2nd Vice President

As soon as the results were announced Fox congratulated his opponent saying, "The ICF has significant challenges ahead, including improving opportunities for developing nations, and I wish Joao well in his new role on the Executive Committee.

"I would like to thank the President and my ICF colleagues for the opportunity of serving the ICF and I now look forward to supporting the development of canoeing in other ways and to promoting our sport".

One area Fox will be watching closely will be how the ICF develops a strategic approach to the future shape of canoeing in the Olympic program.

"Canoeing did exceptionally well at the London Olympics thanks to LOCOG’s organization and presentation, the sport now has a chance to modernize its approach to become even more attractive building on its successes by diversifying the events and opportunities".

On his part da Costa Allegre said that he hoped to build on the good working relationship he has already with the Board saying, "I believe the ICF is changing and I hope that I can count on all of your support to bring about the developments necessary to transform the sport.

"The only thing I can promise is that I will keep working hard and after 4 years you can judge for yourselves the efforts that I have made," concluded da Costa Alegre who is also the Vice President of the Association of African National Olympic Committees (ANOCA).

Wildwater Chair retains his position in committee

In the only other election where there were two candidates in the running for the same position, Jens Perlwitz (GER) defeated Andrej Grobisa (SLO) to retain his position as Chair of the Wildwater Committee.

ICF President, Jose Perurena Lopez (ESP), was the sole candidate for the presidency and was reelected with 93 votes and 9 abstentions. While the Treasurer Luciano Buonfiglio (ITA), Chairs, Frank Garner (Canoe Sprint), Jean-Michel Prono (Canoe Slalom), Jorn Cronberg (Canoe Marathon) and John Edwards (Sport for All) all went unchallenged and retained their positions.

"Thank you for your support," said Perurena Lopez. "It’s an honour that you have entrusted me to continue to develop the sport for the next 4 years.

"We now need to focus and develop the sport further because we are now in competition with other sports. After the Rio 2016 Olympic Games the Sport Programme will change and we need to be ready."

Following yesterday’s presentation of rule changes for Canoe Sprint and Canoe Slalom, the Chairs of the non-Olympic disciplines presented their proposals today and later reported on the activities of their Committee since the last Congress in 2010.

Continental Representatives also reported on their activities over the past 2 years including Seifudin Patwa (KEN), Secretary General of Confederation of African Canoeing (CAC), who informed the Congress about the investments the Confederation had made to develop the sport on the continent. He also confirmed that Canoe-Kayak will be included in the Sport Programme of the All Africa Youth Games.

Dr. Cecilia Farias (ARG), President of COPAC told the Congress that her Association is now seeing the results of their clearly defined strategy plan.

ICF President awards 5 members of the Canoeing Family with honorary membership

In the absence of Helen Brownlee (AUS), President of Oceania Continental Association (OCA), its Secretary General, Maree Burnett (NZL) delivered a rousing speech in support of the OCA President who is recovering from a serious illness. After many decades serving the sport and promoting the development of women in canoeing, this was the first Congress Brownlee has missed in 32 years.

A comprehensive review of the ICF’s Development Programme was given by 1st Vice President Istvan Vaskuti (HUN) who commended Csaba Szanto (HUN) for the development work he has been doing to ensure that the programme meets its global objectives. Pierrick Gosselin (FRA) who is currently in Thailand conducting a Training Camp was also highly commended for his work in developing Canoe Slalom.

The Congress approved the ICF’s proposal to honour five members of the Canoeing Family that have dedicated themselves to the sport. The ICF President bestowed upon Mr. Etele Barath (HUN), Mr. Vittorio Cirini (ITA), Mr. Anthony Chan (HKG), Mr. Charles Yatman (USA) and Mr. Jan Bache-Wiig (NOR), the title of "ICF Honorary Member".

The two day Congress concluded with the President thanking Irina Siraeva Secretary General of the All Russian Canoe-Kayak Federation and the Federation for organizing the Congress. The ICF Anthem was played leaving delegates to reflect as they return to their home country, that even though it will be a long journey for the sport to realize its potential, it is headed in the right direction.

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