The 58-year-old Senator from Rome, who is also President of the Italian Swimming Federation (FIN) and Honorary Secretary of the International Swimming Federation (FINA), was elected at the LEN Congress in Cascais, Portugal and admitted it was a huge honour to take up the position.

"It is our aim to keep up the high level of European aquatics, although it will not be easy in these economically difficult times," said Barelli, a former Olympic swimmer and World Championship bronze medallist.

"With an effort of the entire LEN team we might be able to get it done."

Kruchten, who vacates the LEN Presidency role after a four-year term, said he was happy to pass the baton to Barelli.

"It was a great honour for someone like me from a small country like Luxembourg to head an important Federation such as LEN," he said.

"I think the time is right to pass on the responsibility to my successor."

Christa Thiel has been promoted to vice-president of LEN

The Congress saw several other changes at the top of LEN, with British Swimming chief executive David Sparkes (pictured top, right) appointed general secretary following the retirement of previous occupant Sven Egil Folvik of Norway.

The elections also saw Hungary's Tamás Gyárfás (pictured top, left) appointed treasurer as previous occupant Christa Thiel of Germany became vice-president.

Meanwhile, among the newly elected members of the LEN Bureau are four-time Olympic swimming champion Vladimir Salnikov of Russia and Seoul 1988 Olympic water polo champion Aleksandar Šoštar of Serbia.

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