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NEWS OF THE YEAR

PRESIDENT SANTONJA, (Left to right) Mr.
VISITED THE POLISH OLYMPIC Janusz Kochan
(PKO Executive
COMMITTEE Member), Mr.
Andrzej Krasnicki
(PKO President)
Working over the fluent institutional relationship Dr. Rafael
between IFBB and the Polish Olympic Committee Santonja (IFBB
(PKO – Polski Komitet Olimpijski), President Santonja President), Mr.
visited PKO Headquarters in Warsaw, joined by Mr. Pawel Filleborn
Pawel Filleborn (IFBB Judges Committee chairman (PZKF) and Mr.
and president of the Polish Bodybuilding & Fitness Adam Krzesinski
(PKO General
Federation, PZKF). Secretary), at the
The meeting with PKO president, Mr. Andrzej sede of the Polish
Krasnicki; General Secretary, Mr. Adam Krzesinski Olympic
and Executive Board Member, Mr. Janusz Kochan; Committee (PKO).
was a good opportunity to reinforce links of
cooperation, between IFBB and PKO, at national and
continental level.
Established in 1919, PKO has been developing
multidimensional activities propagating sport and and now, as well, the president of the Handball In this official meeting was present, as well, Mr.
organizing the participation of the Polish Olympic Polish Federation beside Executive Board Member of Janusz Kochan, -member of the PKO Executive
Team at the Olympic Games, promoting Olympism. the European Olympic Committees (EOC). Also Board- who attended the 2016 IFBB World Fitness
During this almost 100 years, PKO has been enjoying international athlete, PKO General Secretary, Mr. Championships, celebrated in Bialystok; awarding
a high level of social esteem, in Poland: President Adam Krzesinski, is double olympic medalist in the overall winner in Women´s Fitness, beside
Krasnicki is a former international handball player Fencing, in 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics Games. President Santonja.

IOC MEMBER MS. NICOLE HOEVERTSZ
AWARDED WITH “IFBB SPIRIT OF SPORT”

Ms. Nicole Hoevertsz, member of the IOC, received the prestigious “IFBB Spirit of
Sport Award” past August 5th, during the 1st. Edition of the Ben Weider Legacy Cup
Aruba organized by the Aruba Bodybuilding & Powerlifting Association (ABPA).
President Santonja travelled to Aruba attend this important international
event and presented Ms. Hoevertsz this award, in recognition of her important
sport career
Born in Aruba, Ms. Hoevertsz was a multiple international synchronized
swimming champion, participanting at the Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988
Olympic Games. As a member of the IOC, she is involved into different committees Nicole Hoevertsz accompanied by the Minister of Sports of Aruba, Dr. Richard Visser, who
and currently belongs to Olympic solidarity, among other programs of the IOC. received the IFBB Gold Medal; Giovanni ARENDSZ-President of the ABPA and Dr. Rafael Santonja.

BODYBUILDING & OLYMPISM IN AMERICA:
LIMA 2019

With the IFBB fully recognized by Pan American Sports Organization (PASO/ODEPA),
Bodybuilding have an historic appointment with Olympism, next July 26th 2019, in
Lima (Peru). From this day and up to August 11th, Bodybuilding will be included with
other 38 sports, in the 18th Pan American Games: a real success for our sport and a
dream made true for our athletes and supporters.
Over 6.000 athletes from 41 countries will be in Lima 2019 and bodybuilders
from American IFBB-affiliated National Federations will be included. This will be an
amazing debut as well a high responsibility that IFBB is facing, fully ready, for that
challenge: this week, Mr. Eduardo Abdalah -IFBB Vice-president for Central
America- had a meeting with members of the Organizing Committee (COPAL) and
visited the construction works for the future Olympic Village that should be finished
in February 2019.
Under the leadership of IFBB president, Dr. Rafael Santonja; Bodybuilding and
Fitness are growing worldwide and reaching its goals about recognition and support
from the Olympic Family. Lima 2019 will be an historic moment and place in our
sport: another dream became true!

Ing. Eduardo Abdalah -IFBB Vice-president for Central America & Caribbean- had a meeting
with members of the 18th Panamerican Games and visited the future Olympic Village.

2016/2017 BOOK OF THE YEAR 215