Leaders of Brazil's sporting confederations, many of whom have been in power for decades, will have their time in office restricted under new laws.
Brazil's Senate voted to ratify a bill that limits presidents of sporting confederations who receive public funding to a maximum of two terms in office.
The bill also obliges the federations to publish their annual accounts and include athletes in the decision-making process, amongst other conditions.
Three-times French Open tennis champion Gustavo Kuerten, 1994 football World Cup winners Rai and Mauro Silva as well as Popo, a former world champion boxer who is now a deputy, were all in the Senate to back the legislation.
The change comes amid increasing concerns about Brazil's preparations to host the 2014 football World Cup and 2016 Olympics.
