(2015 ☆ ARCHIVED) Mike Haslam - Great Britain
MIKE HASLAM (Great Britain) - Nominee for Lifetime Achievement
Sport: Dragon Boat, From: Great Britain
Mike Haslam is the back-bone of dragon boating worldwide. As the Founder of the European Dragon Boat Federation (founded in 1990) and the International Dragon Boat Federation, Mike has been the driving force behind its current success.
Dragonboating is an ancient sacred sport with its origins in China dating back over 2,000 years and is now one of the fastest growing sports in the world today. The sport has Mike to thank for its exceptional growth.
Beginning as a recreational level Chinese cultural festival Mike has guided the sport into becoming a full-fledged, serious competition in Europe and worldwide, whilst still ensuring it maintains its cultural roots. He was a pioneer of competitive Dragon Boating where he helped codify the rules of racing, develop standards for equipment and safety, implement training programs for athletes and race officials, raise necessary funds and organise the first IBDF championships held in 1995.
Mike Haslam's tireless commitment and dedication to the sports constant develop is nothing short of inspirational. Throughout dragon boat's development he has always striven to keep a balance between accessibility of the sport to the average recreational athlete whilst also developing a high level of racing competition for the professional athlete. Something some of the other larger international federations struggle to achieve.
Throughout his 25 year involvement Mike has been met with many road blocks but he has pressed on with dignity and humour, ensuring the success of dragon boating internationally.
Currently Mike serves as the Executive President of the International Dragon Boat Federation and the President & CEO of the British Dragon Boat Racing Association.
Mike Haslam heartfelt dedication to the sport and its athletes is inspirational. For this he is being nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award.
This is a 2015 archived nominee. Voting has closed.
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