Senegal Olympic Swimmer Mohamed Diop elected President of Africa Aquatics

By Emmanuel Sekago

In a landmark moment for African aquatics, Mohamed Diop, the illustrious two-time Senegalese Olympic swimmer, ascended to the presidency of Africa Aquatics. His victory came after a spirited contest against Uganda’s esteemed representative, Donald Rukare, during the organization’s annual general meeting held last week in the vibrant city of Luanda, Angola.

Diop’s triumph marks a significant milestone, not only for his native Senegal but for the entire African continent, as he brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and vision to the helm of Africa Aquatics.

With his sterling track record in the pool and a passion for the advancement of aquatic sports, Diop is poised to lead the organization towards new heights of excellence and inclusivity.

As the first Senegalese to hold this esteemed position, Diop embodies the spirit of African unity and progress. His leadership promises to foster greater opportunities for athletes across the continent, promote grassroots development programs, and strengthen the voice of African aquatics on the global stage.

With Mohamed Diop at the helm, Africa Aquatics embarks on an exciting new chapter, buoyed by the promise of innovation, collaboration, and unparalleled achievement in the realm of aquatic sports.

Dr. Diop has been a prominent advocate for the development and promotion of aquatic sports in Africa. His dedication to the advancement of swimming, diving, water polo, and synchronized swimming has earned him widespread admiration and respect from colleagues and athletes alike.

Diop, 59, represented Senegal at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and Barcelona Olympics in 1992. In 2021, he became secretary general of Africa Aquatics as well as a member of the World Aquatics (then FINA) Bureau. He has previously served as president of the Senegalese Swimming Federation and vice president of Africa Aquatics back when it was still known as CANA.

Diop started swimming at age 6 and began competing at 9 years old. At age 15, he began a 20-year career swimming for the Senegalese national team, highlighted by a bronze medal in the 50-meter freestyle at the 1987 African Games in Nairobi, Kenya. It was the first of four African Games in which Diop competed.

According to Openwaterpedia, Diop won the 1986 Traversee Dakar, a 5.2-kilometer open-water swim from Dakar to Goree in Senegal. After his competitive career ended in 1999, he remained involved in masters swimming and was appointed to World Aquatics’ masters committee in 2021.

“I reached 24.39 in the 50m freestyle in 1986 and 54.23 in the 100m freestyle in 1989,” Diop told World Aquatics in 2009. “Last year, I could swim 25.90 and 57.20.”
The previous president of Africa Aquatics was South Africa’s Sam Ramsamy, who served 12 years since his election in 2012.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Diop expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him by the members of Africa Aquatics and outlined his vision for the future of the organization. He emphasized the importance of inclusivity, diversity, and grassroots development to ensure that aquatic sports reach every corner of the continent.

“I am deeply honored to have been chosen as the president of Africa Aquatics,” said Dr. Diop. “I am committed to working tirelessly to foster growth, excellence, and accessibility within our aquatic community. Together, we will strive to create opportunities for all, from the grassroots level to the highest echelons of competition.”

Under Dr. Diop’s leadership, Africa Aquatics is poised to enter a new era of innovation and growth. With a focus on empowering athletes, coaches, and officials, the organization aims to elevate the standard of aquatic sports across Africa and enhance the continent’s presence on the global stage.

The election of Dr. Mohamed Diop as president of Africa Aquatics represents a moment of celebration and optimism for the future of aquatic sports in Africa. As he assumes this prestigious role, Dr. Diop’s leadership promises to inspire and unite the aquatic community towards a brighter and more inclusive future.

Executive;
Dr Mohammed Diop – Senegal (President)
Vice (Rep 4 zones); Yasser Idris (Egypt), Doreen Tiborc (Mauritius) , Dr Donald Rukare (Uganda) and Babatunde Fatayi Williams (Nigeria)
Jace Naidoo (Secretary General) and Zouheir Mufti (Treasurer)
Other Bureau Members; Thauriya (Tanzania), Sudan President, Libya President and Tijani Amadu (Niger)