Deputy Minister of Sports Stoyan Andonov has died. This was announced by the Bulgarian Swimming Federation.
„Assoc. Prof. Stoyan Andonov suddenly left us at the age of 65. He dedicated his life to the development of Bulgarian swimming and water rescue“, the federation writes.
Assoc. Prof. Stoyan Andonov graduated from the Bulgarian Swimming Institute (now the Bulgarian National Academy of Sciences) in 1983 with the degrees of swimming coach and physical education teacher. He has a rich academic and sports biography, as well as solid administrative experience. Since 1994, he has been chairman of the National Commission for Water Rescue and a member of the National Council of the Bulgarian Red Cross. He has expert knowledge in the field of swimming technique and water rescue.
In 1981, he became the world champion in water rescue all-around, and two years later he was the world vice-champion. For his high sporting achievements, he was awarded the title of “master of sports“. Under his coaching leadership, our men's national water rescue team won the European championship title in 1988.
Stoyan Andonov was a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Bulgarian Swimming Federation.
For four decades, he was one of the leading lecturers in the “Water Sports” department of the “Vasil Levski” National Sports Academy.
“Competitor and coach in swimming and water rescue. World and European champion in water rescue all-around. Until recently, he responsibly and devotedly performed his duties as Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports. The leadership of the Bulgarian Federation of Sports and Youth expresses its most sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of Stoyan Andonov.“, the federation writes.