Thomas Konietzko

Thomas Konietzko has been the President of the International Canoe Federation since November 2021 when he was elected at the ICF Congress in Rome, Italy, replacing Jose Perurena. In November 2024, he was re-elected unopposed at the ICF Congress in Antalya, securing a second term at the helm, running to 2028.

Innovations, cooperation, transparency, involvement and sustainability are his key principles of focus as the ICF President. 

Mr Konietzko was previously the ICF Vice President from 2016 until 2021 and has been on the Board since 2012. 

The German official was a Board member of the European Canoe Association from 2011 until 2016. 

He was also the President of the German Canoe Federation for 11 years before taking over as the leader of the ICF.

1999-2006 – President of a County Sports Federation 

2000-2006 – Vice President of a Federal Canoe Association 

2006-2010 – Vice President of the German Canoe Federation 

2010-2021 – President of the German Canoe Federation 

2011-2016 – Member of the High Performance Committee of the German Olympic Sports Confederation 

2011-2016 – Board member of the European Canoe Association 

2012-2021 – Board member of the ICF 

2016-2021 – Vice President of the ICF 

2021-present – President of the ICF 

Mr Konietzko was a paddler between 1978 and 1984 and was a canoeing coach until 1990.  

Mr Konietzko was the recipient of a German Order of Merit in 2018 for his many years of involvement in the sporting community in the Saxony-Anhalt region. 

He was also made an honorary member of the ECA in 2016 and Honorary President of the Country Sports Federation in 2009. 

Thomas Konietzko - ICF President
thomas.konietzko@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.