Per Rune Eknes named as new swimming Vice Chair
13.11.2015The Norwegian will deputise for Chairperson Jane Blaine and monitor the progress of IPC Swimming’s Strategic Plan.
A general view of the swimming pool at the London Aquatics Centre
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“I hope to achieve even more of focus on our athletes, and to be a part of a fantastic group of sportsmen and women.”
Norwegian Per Runes Eknes was named as the new Vice Chairperson of the IPC Swimming Sport Technical Committee on Friday (13 November).
Eknes has a wealth of experience in swimming both nationally in Norway and on an international level. This includes being a member of the Ligue Européenne de Natation (LEN) Bureau and sitting on the FINA Facilities and Media Committees.
In Norway, Eknes has been the President of the Norwegian Swimming Federation since 2004. He has also had involvement with the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF), who nominated him to the role, for more than a decade.
Commenting on his appointment Eknes said: “I am interested in developing the sport, and making an even better collaboration with other organisations such as FINA and LEN. I am also sure that it is possible to increase the profile of swimmers in the media and to the public.
“I hope to achieve even more of focus on our athletes, and to be a part of a fantastic group of sportsmen and women.”
Eknes’ role will include deputising for Chairperson Jane Blaine in her absence at meetings and events, assisting with duties and monitoring the progress of the IPC Swimming Strategic Plan, which runs until 2016.
The first major competition that Eknes will be involved with is the 2016 IPC Swimming European Open Championships in Funchal, Portugal.
The event, which runs from 30 April-7 May, is the last major competition ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
IPC Swimming invited nominations for the Vice Chairperson from National Paralympic Committees and International Organisations of Sports for the Disabled that widely and regularly practice swimming.
A Nominations Working Group then assessed the submissions and a shortlist of candidates were interviewed.
Former Vice Chairperson Glenn Tasker stood down in September 2015 to focus on his role as the President of the Australian Paralympic Committee.
