Chiulli Secures Fifth Term As UIM President

Doctor Raffaele Chiulli secured a fifth term as UIM President at the 98th General Assembly in Shanghai on Saturday, standing unopposed in the election for the 2025-2029 mandate.

The Italian sports executive’s candidature, submitted by the Italian Federation, received approval from delegates gathered at Baoshan District for powerboating’s most significant institutional event of the year.

Chiulli’s re-election extends an 18-year tenure that began in 2007, during which the federation achieved significant milestones including MotoSurf’s inclusion in The World Games programme and the establishment of the UIM-FIMC Youth Training Centre in Fujairah.

Multi-federation leadership

The 68-year-old Rome native holds multiple influential positions within international sport governance. Since 2013, he has served as President of ARISF, the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations, representing 42 international federations recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

Chiulli’s ARISF presidency secured five sports’ inclusion in the Tokyo Olympics and later the Los Angeles 2028 Games. From 2019 to 2021, he led GAISF, the former umbrella organisation for all Olympic and non-Olympic international sports federations, where he launched the inaugural World Urban Games in Budapest and helped restart the World Combat Games.

The IOC appointed Chiulli to its Sport and Active Society Commission in 2014, where he served until 2021 before moving to the Sustainability and Legacy Commission, contributing to Olympic Agenda 2020 implementation.

Academic and professional background

Chiulli earned a Doctor of Sciences with honours from Sapienza University of Rome, followed by post-graduate education at Duke University, INSEAD in Fontainebleau, and IMD in Lausanne. He speaks Italian, English, French, and Spanish fluently.

Before entering sports administration, Chiulli held chief executive positions throughout the energy sector. His roles included Energy Director Central Europe at Holcim, CEO at Eurofuels and Fusine Energia, and senior positions at AGIP. He chaired the LASMO, Texaco, British Gas and Amoco Joint Venture whilst serving as Business Development Director and Board Member of LASMO.

In 1998, Chiulli founded SAFE, a centre for energy, environmental management, and sustainability that developed post-graduate programmes involving over 100 companies, international institutions, governmental authorities, research centres, and universities. He lectured at Foro Italico University in Rome and the AISTS Master programme in Lausanne on sport management.

Powerboating development

During Chiulli’s UIM presidency, the federation expanded its youth development initiatives through the Propstars Programme, established the first youth training centre at Fujairah International Marine Club, and worked towards sustainable powerboat racing.

In 2020, he collaborated with motorsport entrepreneur Alejandro Agag to develop the world’s first electric boat racing series, advancing the sport’s environmental credentials.

The 2025 World Games in Chengdu marked a breakthrough for UIM when MotoSurf became the first motorsport discipline included in the major international multi-sport event, attracting over 5,000 athletes and officials for sustainable-powered competition.

Recognition and honours

The Italian government awarded Chiulli the Knight of Merit of Italian Republic, whilst HSH Prince Albert of Monaco presented him with the Vermillion Medal for Education and Sport. The Italian Olympic Committee bestowed the Gold Star of Sport Merit, and the IOC awarded a Diploma for Development and Promotion of Sport. Yong In University in South Korea conferred an honorary doctorate in sport and physical education.

The 98th General Assembly preceded a significant year for the federation, with institutional discussions addressing rule changes across circuit racing, Formula 2, and other disciplines through commission meetings, committee sessions, and Friday’s council vote that shaped powerboating’s regulatory framework through 2026.