Cecilia Farias
About
Cecilia Farias made history in 2016 when she was elected as the first female Vice President in the International Canoe Federation’s history.
She was re-elected at the ICF Congress in Rome in 2021 and again at the ICF Congress in Antalya in 2024, and will continue in the position until 2028.
As well as the role of Vice President, Farias is chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Commission and is responsible for the ICF Sustainable Development Programme.
Dr Farias became the first female on the Executive Board of the Association of Pan American Sport Confederations in 2015 when she was elected as Vice President and is now First Vice President.
She is also an experienced International Technical Official in Canoe Sprint, Canoe Slalom and Canoe Marathon and has been selected for six Olympic Games – two of them as jury – and many World Championships in those disciplines.
Career in sports administration
1996-2003 – Secretary General of the Argentinian Canoe Federation
2002-2006 Secretary-Treasurer at the South American Canoe Confederation
1999-2011 – Secretary General of the Pan American Canoe Confederation
2006-2019 – Board member of the International Canoe Federation
2011-2019 – President of the Pan American Canoe Confederation
2012-2016 – Project Manager at the Qatar Olympic Committee
2015-2023 – Vice President of the Association of Pan American Sport Confederations
2016-2018 – Venue Management Director at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games
2016-present – Vice President of the International Canoe Federation
2023-present – First Vice President of the Association of Pan American Sports Confederations
Sports practised
Dr Farias is a former international athlete, becoming one of the first women to compete in Canoe Sprint in Argentina, where she was a two-time national champion and competed until 1978.
Honours
Dr Farias was made Life Honorary President of the Pan American Canoe Confederation in 2017 having served two terms as President and 12 years as Secretary General.
A year later, Dr Farias was made an Life Honorary Member of the South American Canoe Confederation.
Dr Farias also received the International Olympic Committee’s “The Women & Sport Achievement Diploma” in 2008 and 2014
Contact
Cecilia Farias- ICF Vice President
cecilia.farias@canoeicf.sport
* All ICF elected officials are required to sign the ICF Board of Directors Code of Conduct to ensure highest ethical principles are kept.
