Completion of a Successful ICF Congress in Rome

Sunday, 30 November 2008

Rome , Italy (November 30) - The ICF successfully finished its largest ever Congress on Saturday in the beautiful and historical city of Rome . The bi-annual Congress attracted 110 voting countries from around the world.  The Congress was an excellent opportunity for the Federation to reflect on the sport of Canoeing and its future direction including an in depth assessment of Canoeing at the Olympic Games in Beijing .  

Mr Ulrich Feldhoff, of Germany , stepped down as the ICF President. Mr Feldhoff was given a well deserved standing ovation for his hard work and dedication to the ICF during his 10 year tenure as ICF President. Mr Feldhoff  has left the ICF in a healthy financial situation for his successor. He presided over canoeing at 3 Olympic Games and many World Championships in the ten year period. Mr José Perurena, from Spain , who received the unanimous vote of the Congress, was elected as the new ICF President. Mr Perurena was the ICF's Vice President and has also previously held the position of the Secretary General within the Federation. Mr Perurena started work immediately and chaired his first Board meeting in Rome as President on Sunday, 30 November 2008.

Regarding the future of the ICF, Mr Perurena enthusiastically responded “I am ready to take on the challenges as the ICF  President and I am committed to advancing this Federation. We have elected virtually a new Executive Committee who are really talented. I’m looking forward to working with the Executive and Board to implement the ICF strategic plan and licensing programme.”

Also celebrating  his victory was Mr István Vaskuti, of Hungary , who was elected as the ICF's First Vice President.  He is currently the Vice President of the Hungarian Canoe Federation and has served four years as the Flatwater Racing Chairman for the ICF. He won an Olympic Gold medal in Canoeing in 1980 and 9 Gold medals in World Championships. Nomination for the Second Vice President went to Mr Richard Fox of Australia . Mr Fox is no stranger to Canoeing – he was 5 times Slalom Racing World Champion between 1980-1989, 5 times World team Champion, and is the head coach for the Australian Canoe Team who were very successful in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He is arguably the most decorated athlete in Canoe Slalom. President of the Italian Canoe Federation, Mr Luciano Buonfiglio, was elected as the ICF's new Treasurer. Mr Buonfiglio, a former athlete, represented Italy in Flatwater Racing events.

Several major topics were decided during the Congress.  The Congress accepted new name changes for the different disciplines; Flatwater Racing will now be known as Canoe Sprint, Slalom Racing is now known as Canoe Slalom, and Marathon Racing will be Canoe Marathon. A new programme for Canoe Sprint will commence in 2009 in Dartmouth , Canada , which was approved by the Congress. The Congress also approved the ICF's new commercial logo and a new website will follow shortly.   The ICF Board also approved the launch of the Canoeing equipment licensing programme. The ICF's strategic plan for the next two years was presented and approved.  In addition, 7 new NFs were officially affiliated to the ICF making a total of 147 countries as part of the ICF family.

The ICFs next Congress  will be held in Spain in 2010.