A graduate of England’s Oxford University, the Hungarian Dr.Leo Donath is referred to as “the administrative genius behind FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur).” As its Honourable Secretary and Treasurer, he served FINA from 1928 until his death in 1941. In 1911, Dr. Donath was one of the founders of the Hungarian Swimming Federation. Through his initiative, LEN (the European Swimming Federation) was established in 1926, and he was elected its first Secretary General and Treasurer. Based upon his suggestion, the first European Swimming Championships were staged in Budapest in 1926.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Dr. Leo Donath (1888-1941)
A graduate of England’s Oxford University, the Hungarian Dr.Leo Donath is referred to as “the administrative genius behind FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur).” As its Honourable Secretary and Treasurer, he served FINA from 1928 until his death in 1941. In 1911, Dr. Donath was one of the founders of the Hungarian Swimming Federation. Through his initiative, LEN (the European Swimming Federation) was established in 1926, and he was elected its first Secretary General and Treasurer. Based upon his suggestion, the first European Swimming Championships were staged in Budapest in 1926.