FCBARCELONA.CAT

23.07.2008 20:00

Manel Estiarte, new head of external relations

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Manel Estiarte y Duocastella has been named the club’s new head of external relations. His will be in charge of representing the club in its relations with cultural, civic and social institutions and organisations.

In this new responsibility, he will report directly to the FC Barcelona presidency and will work in coordination with the Area of Communication and the Department of Protocol.

Finest water polo player

Born in Manresa on October 26, 1961, he is considered by many to be the best water polo player that ever lived. He started his sporting career in 1975 at Club Natació Manresa. In 1977, aged just 15, he was given a call up for the Spanish national team, and went on to appear in six Olympic Games, in 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000. In these competitions he scored 127 goals, winning gold in 1996 and also the 1998 World Championship.

International experience

On a club level, apart from Manresa, he also played for Club Natació Barcelona and in 1985 left for the most competitive water polo league in the world, the Italian one, playing for Pescara. While he was there he won the European Cup, two Cup Winners Cups, one LEN, two Super Cups, four Leagues and five Cups.

The year before the Olympics in Barcelona he returned to play for Club Natació Catalunya, winning the European Super Cup, Cup Winners Cup, Cup and League. A year later he was back in Italy, where he stayed until 1999, when he returned to El Club Natació Atlètic Barceloneta for his final year as a professional.

In 2000, after the Sydney Olympics, he retired and became a member of the International Olympic Committee on the Athletes Commission. In 2001 he won the Príncipe de Asturias Award for sports, and in the 2001/02 season became president of the Pescara club.