FINA members voted overwhelmingly to change the name of the global governing body for swimming, diving, high diving, artistic swimming, water polo and open water swimming at the organisation’s Extraordinary General Congress here.

The decision was made as part of a new constitution which was approved and is set to be come into force next month.

Potec, an Olympic gold medallist in the women’s 200 metre freestyle at Athens 2004 who is head of the Romanian Aquatics and Modern Pentathlon Federation, welcomed the move.

"We hope this name will have more impact outside of aquatics so people can recognise us," Potec told insidethegames.

"It’s important to be more known.

"Because I have been in this sport for more than 30 years, I got used to this name.

"I thought it was a good name because I have grown up with it and recognise it.

"I had a connection with the old name but I think the new name is a good change after so many years."

Colombian Swimming Federation President Jorge Soto said all aquatic disciplines will feel "more united" as part of World Aquatics, while Fernando Terrilli, head of the Argentine Swimming Federation, believes National Federations should consider changing their name following FINA’s decision.

"I think it’s a good move," said Terrilli.

"All countries should follow the new constitution and perhaps the name.

"Maybe the next step is to follow these changes.

"It’s not mandatory but maybe countries can think about the new way of World Aquatics and maybe change some parts."

Other changes to the constitution include increasing the number of Bureau members with female representation rising to 38 per cent and introducing of a new term and age limits for the President.

Under the new constitution, the next President of World Aquatics will serve two terms in office, with the first running for eight years followed by a second for four years.

The age limit of 75 years old for the head of the organisation has also been agreed.

Cato Bratbakk, head of the Norwegian Swimming Federation, was one of four FINA members to vote against the new constitution as he claimed more time should have been given to consider the proposals.

"We got this [constitution] in October and had to look at it," added Bratbakk.

"The Nordic group compared the two constitutions by putting them side by side.

"That should have been done by FINA.

"Usually we would have the old one and the new one and they didn’t do that.

"They sent it out saying this is the new one, take it or leave and I don’t think that’s good governance."