Quick Facts
Biography
Paolo Barelli is an Italian Senator and president of the Italian Swimming Federation, and a former swimmer. On July 24, 2009, he was named Honorary Secretary of FINA for the 2009-2013 term. In October 2012 Barelli was elected president of LEN.
Biography
Paolo Barelli was born in Rome.
Barelli broke 23 times the Italian record in several distances, including the 100m butterfly and relays.
He swam for Italy at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics.
In 1975 he won the 100m butterfly at the 1975 Mediterranean Games (58.10).
In the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, he reached the Olympic final with the 4 × 200 m Freestyle Relay (7th) and the 4 × 100 m Medley Relay (8th).
He was elected president of the Italian Swimming Federation in 2000; he is the first high-level swimmer to cover this position.
Barelli entered politics with the Silvio Berlusconi's party Forza Italia, was elected to the Italian Senate in 2001 and reelected in 2006.
