Dobromir Karamarinov, from Bulgaria, was elected unopposed as the sixth European Athletics President on 14 October 2021 at the European Athletics Congress in Lausanne, Switzerland.
As First Vice President, Karamarinov had been the European Athletics Interim President following the tragic death of his predecessor Svein Arne Hansen on 20 June 2020.
Karamarinov, in line with the European Athletics Constitution, had originally assumed the presidential role and duties following Hansen's stroke in March 2021 which sadly left the latter incapacitated.
Born on 26 March 1958, Karamarinov was first elected to the European Athletics Council in 2007. After two terms as a Council Member he was elected as First Vice President in 2015.
Karamarinov was formerly an athletics coach and has a postgraduate degree in sports management. He is the President of the Bulgarian athletics federation and the Association of the Balkan Athletic Federations.
In addition to being a member of various European Athletics and World Athletics Commissions and Advisory Groups, he was also the head of the Team Europe delegation at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 IAAF Continental Cups.
"To me, it is a huge honour to be elected as President, and to continue to serve European Athletics," said Karamarinov, in an address shortly after his election.
"I aim to do my very best to repay your support and trust. By listening, as well as by leading.
"As you know, I took on the role of Interim President during one of our most challenging periods ever. In June last year, we lost our leader and beloved friend, Svein Arne, who we continue to miss dearly. It’s his mandate and legacy that have guided my thoughts on every aspect of our future strategy."
"Then, along with many other sports, our competition calendar for 2020 was all but wiped out by COVID-19. But thanks to the strong foundations which Svein Arne, and everyone in this room, helped to lay, we have not only withstood these challenges.
"We have emerged stronger, and better prepared for change. I want to thank you all for your resilience and commitment to European Athletics.
"After a hugely successful 2021 season so far, we can now look forward to what I am confident will be one of the most exciting periods in our history.
"In 2021, we got our competitions back on track, ensuring that team Europe achieved one of its best-ever Olympic performances. I invite you to show your appreciation for every one of our European Olympians
"Next season, European Athletics will gain worldwide exposure as the lead sport at Munich 2022, the multi-sport European Championships.
"Also next season, I am determined that our digital strategy – ‘Athletics in every home and on every phone in Europe’ – will be at the forefront of everything we do," added Karamarinov.