News

ICF honoured important figures in the ICF’s history and among those were also representatives of the European Canoe Association who have been made ICF Honorary Members.

 

“With 100 successful years behind us, the Congress here in Antalya has set the course for the future and will lead us through the next decades but we should also celebrate ourselves who passionately develop our sport,” said Thomas Konietzko on the occasion.

 

Albert Woods OBE is the founding President of the European Canoe Association and led the organisation for 30 years until 2023. He was also Chair of the ICF Canoe Slalom and Wildwater Canoeing Committee from 1988 to 1996. “I was elected in 1988, so it’s a long, long time ago and a lot has happened since then. I am very honoured. I started the European Canoe Association in December 1993 and now it’s the biggest and strongest continent in the ICF,” said Albert Woods OBE.

 

Jaroslav Pollert, former ECA vice-president, was also named ICF Honorary Member. He led the Canoe Slalom Committee from 1996 to 2000. During that time, Pollert, who was President of the Czech Canoe Union from 2006 to 2014, helped to ensure Canoe Slalom remained on the Olympic programme at Sydney 2000. “At the time, we contacted Jacques Chirac, Al Gore and other top politicians as it was so important to keep slalom in the Olympics. From practical point of view, canoeing has been my hobby and from a theoretical point of view as a professor at Czech Technical University the important thing is that the water is flowing down the river,” said Jaroslav Pollert.

 

Jean-Michel Prono and Istvan Vaskuti who had important roles within the ICF have also been named Honorary Members.