In 1968, while still a competitor and Colombian National Water Ski Champion, Andres Botero almost single-handedly organized the first PanAmerican championships to be held in South America. One year after competing in the Olympic demonstration event in 1972, he was involved in organizing South America's first World Championships.

 

In 1980 Andres was elected as President of the PanAmerican Region and served in that capacity for 11 years. This was followed by ten years of service as President of the International Water Ski Federation.

 

During that term, Andres declared as a maJor goal the full participation of water skiing in the Olympics. While this goal was not achieved, the effort laid the foundation for greater international recognition of water skiing as a competitive sport.

 

Since his retirement as IWSF President in 2001, Andres has been President of the Colombian Olympic Committee, and within the last few months has been elected to membership in the International Olympic Committee.

 

I am pleased to announce the induction into the International Hall of Fame of one of water skiing's most enduring and steadfast contributors: Andres Botero.