The World Archery Executive Board has approved a change in the leadership and structure of the World Archery office.
Tom Dielen’s role as secretary general has ended with immediate effect. The position has been split and a new role of executive director has been created. A recruitment process will begin for a new secretary general.
Juan Carlos Holgado assumes the new role of executive director and will serve as acting secretary general during this transition period.
“We are deeply grateful for Tom’s many years of dedicated service to our organisation and wish him every success in the future,” said World Archery President Greg Easton.
“His leadership and commitment have played an important role in shaping World Archery into the respected global organisation it is today.”
“I am proud to introduce Juan Carlos Holgado as our new executive director and acting secretary general while we begin an expedited search to fill the permanent role.”
“I am excited about the future of World Archery and know that together, we will continue to build on our strong foundation and advance our mission globally.”
Juan Carlos Holgado, a member of the gold-medal-winning Spanish recurve men’s team at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, previously served as event director of World Archery and director of the World Archery Excellence Centre.
He was also acting competition manager at the Athens 2004 Olympics, sports director for FISU, and has coached several international teams.
Greg Easton was elected the 10th president of World Archery at the recent congress held in Gwangju (Korea). His first term runs until 2029.
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Statement from World Archery executive director Juan Carlos Holgado:
“I’m honoured to step into this role, dedicated to serving our members by empowering federations, continental associations, event organisers, and the entire archery community. Through our shared focus on development and education, we’ll continue to grow our sport together.”
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Statement from former World Archery secretary general Tom Dielen:
“I have had the privilege of working for a total of 26 years as a professional and several years as a volunteer at World Archery. The journey started in Lausanne with a meeting with Jim Easton in the Lausanne Palace in February 1996. He hired me, a few months later, in June 1996.”
“I had the pleasure of working very well with Jim for six years and professionalised the office after moving the headquarters from Milan to Lausanne. In 2002, I left World Archery for three years and three months to move to WADA, but kept a volunteer role in the constitution and rules committee.”
“When Prof Dr Ugur Erdener wanted to become president, we sat together and jointly developed the 10-point presidential programme. Key elements of that were the mediatisation of our sport as well as implementing the World Cup, a project I finalised just before leaving to WADA in 2002. For me, it was essential that this project, which was not implemented during my absence (since there was no title sponsor nor financing for it), was implemented as soon as the elections confirmed Prof Dr Erdener as president and me as secretary general.”
“The cancelled season due to the COVID pandemic will have caused me to miss the 20th edition next year. The World Cup has moved archery from a danger zone, nearly being kicked out of the Olympic Games at the session in Singapore in 2005, to a sport that is seen as a reference.”
“In these 20 years, I also made sure that there was a perfect balance between men and women in prize money as well as promoting gender equity. I handled the full transformation of para archery from IPC governance to World Archery, and I am very pleased to see the progress of para archery over the years to being one of the most successful sports in Paris.”
“The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games were the best I have attended in an archery capacity. What a finish, with great television figures and an unbelievable public, and great champions.”
“We just had World Archery Congress, the Hyundai World Archery Championships and the World Archery Para Championships in Gwangju. The Congress operations, from World Archery’s point of view, were smooth, and in all 15 congresses I was involved in. Thank you very much Constance and the team on site.”
“The championships were broadcast using the latest high-quality production and World Archery has become a true example for other sports. This, combined with the innovative distribution mechanism launched in 2025, has laid the grounds for more and more television exposure.”
“I cannot finish without thanking Jim Easton, Beppe Cinnirella, the executive board, boards, committee members, judges, classifiers and organisers that I have worked with over the years, as well as every staff member.”
“Of course, many thanks to Prof Dr Ugur Erdener, our honorary president, who I worked with during 26 years. I thank the IOC, OBS, the OCOGs, ASOIF, IWGA, WADA, ITA and all other Olympic family members I had the privilege to work with as well.”
“My special thanks go to Thomas, Chris, Constance, Sandrine, Marina, Ludivine, Karim, Séverine, Jiwon, Jenny, Cecilia, Sébastien, Marc, Adrien, Howard, Sonia, Charlotte, Bernardo, Gina and David.”
“I can say that I leave the organisation on 10 October as a person who has a true legacy in the sport. For me, archery has never been more respected, more televised, more active on social media than ever before.”
“I made a promise to the compound archers that I would not stop before they had an Olympic event. That will be the case in LA28. Now it is your turn to show the world your skills as well, as well as all the recurve archers. To all the athletes, I say thank you for all that you have given back to me.”
“I wish Greg the best of luck. I will probably see you on an archery field, but more likely as an archer or coach.”
“And finally, I thank my wife, Nathalie, for the time she allowed me to spend on World Archery.”
