World Aquatics has confirmed the members of its Athletes’ Committee for the 2025–2029 term, with Hungarian water polo star Rita Keszthelyi and Croatian goalkeeper Marko Bijač named as the sport’s two representatives.
The 20-person committee, announced on World Aquatics’ social media channels, will serve as the governing body’s direct link to athletes across all disciplines — swimming, open-water swimming, diving, artistic swimming, water polo, and high diving. Members are tasked with ensuring that the voices of competitors are heard in decision-making, especially regarding competition formats, rules, and athlete welfare.
According to World Aquatics, the Athletes’ Committee will:
- Provide athlete input on the organisation of competitions and events.
- Collaborate on technical rule proposals and amendments for each discipline.
- Gather and present feedback from athletes at competitions.
- Ensure each discipline has a representative attending its respective Technical Committee meetings.
- Have its Chair serve as an ex officio member of the Bureau and Executive, ensuring the athlete perspective is included in all debates.
The committee will comprise 10 members from swimming, and two each from open-water swimming, diving, artistic swimming, water polo, and high diving.
Keszthelyi, widely regarded as one of the greatest female players of her generation, has captained Hungary at multiple Olympics and World Championships, while Bijač — an Olympic silver medalist and Champions League winner — has been a cornerstone of Croatia’s national team for over a decade.
Their appointment means water polo’s interests will be represented by two of its most respected and experienced voices over the next four years.
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