By Nick Butler

The death of Lino Cândido Lourenço has been a shock to the global swimming community ©FINAApril 28 - Tributes have been paid following the death of Lino Cândido Lourenço, the first ever member of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) ruling Bureau from Angola. 


A former swimmer, a member of the Angolan national team, Lourenço made a swift transition from competing to coaching and refereeing, and served as an official at several FINA World Championships. 

But it was in an administrative capacity he best made his mark.

He served as secretary general of the the Angolan Swimming Federation between 1993 and 2012 and played a key role in the country sending swimmers to the Olympic Games during that period at Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

After becoming a member in 1991, he was appointed vice-president of the African Swimming Federation in 2004 and has since worked successfully to raise the profile of the sport on the continent.

In 2013, this work was recognised with his appointment to the FINA Bureau and, in that capacity, he has been particularly involved with the areas of management and marketing.

In a statement following his death on Saturday (April 25), FINA addressed its heartfelt condolences to Lourenço's family and friends, and to the entire aquatic community in Angola.

Lourenço died suddenly in the capital city of Luanda at the age of 46, with more precise details of his death yet to emerge.

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