El-Awadi (pictured top) will remain with Water Polo Canada for the duration of the International Aquatics Federation (FINA) World Water Polo Championships - running from July 19 to August 4 in Barcelona - and will officially take up his role with the national swimming governing body on August 19, with the promise of an internal business review during his first 90 days in the job.

"My sports journey began with swimming many years ago and I am thrilled to reconnect with these roots," said the former assistant coach and manager of the Canadian women's water polo national team at the Athens 2004 Olympics and 2005 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Montreal, where they won a bronze medal.

"Even though it feels strange to leave behind my water polo family of fifteen years, I could not be more excited to join Swimming Canada's team."

El-Awadi was chosen by the Swimming Canada board following an extensive five-month search.

The organisation's President, David de Vlieger, said that El-Awadi, who is fluent in English and French, headed a list of strong candidates due to his passion for swimming, and his knowledge of the Canadian sport system and aquatics world.

"We are really excited by the hire and about where Ahmed can take us," he said.


In January, former British disability swimming performance director John Atkinson was hired as high performance director to oversee Canada's competitive teams and De Vlieger is confident that both men will help to drive Swimming Canada forward.

"We are very pleased by the hire of John Atkinson to lead us on the high performance side and Ahmed will provide strong leadership on the business management side," he said.

"Having capable people in both of those positions should allow us to meet our future goals."

El-Awadi also chairs the Canadian Team Sport Coalition and will be taking over the Swimming Canada leadership from Ken Radford, who has been acting as interim chief executive since March this year when Pierre Lafontaine stepped down to take over as head of Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

Radford will return to his position as director of swimming operations.

"I'm confident the organisation is healthy and strong and I will be looking to see where we can build on those strengths," El-Awadi concluded.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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