FINA President Julio Maglione is set to remain on the Executive even after he steps down ©Getty Images

Julio Maglione is set to retain influence at the International Swimming Federation (FINA) even after his tenure as President comes to an end as he will be able to remain on the Executive following a change to its composition passed by the Congress.

The longstanding Uruguayan official is due to step down as President shortly before his 86th birthday in 2021 after 12 years at the helm.

But he is likely to continue to serve on the Executive – featuring the President, vice-president, second vice-president, three vice-presidents, the honorary treasurer and a member of the Bureau nominated by the head of the federation – as "Immediate Past President".

It comes after the FINA Congress approved expanding the Executive from eight to nine members to accompany the departing President.

Julio Maglione, second left, will step down as President in 2021 ©Getty Images
Julio Maglione, second left, will step down as President in 2021 ©Getty Images

A FINA spokesperson confirmed this means Maglione can stay on the Executive following the conclusion of his four-year term in 2021.

Maglione secured a fresh four-year term in 2017 after defeating Italian rival Paolo Barelli following a bitter campaign.

He was only permitted to stand again for President after engineering an extension to term limits in 2015 and the amendment of a statute change requiring that all members of the ruling FINA Bureau must be under 80.

The 83-year-old has previously been a vocal critic of term limits.

The FINA Congress also gave the green light to the creation of an independent FINA Electoral Commission, which will "oversee the electoral process and have the final decision for the office of FINA President, FINA vice-presidents and FINA Bureau members".