Rio de Janeiro / Brazil (pps) The luge track in Oberhof is for the third time after 1973 and 1985 host of the World Championships in the sport of luge. The Olympia track in Cesana, Torinese, which is built for the Winter Games 2006 in Turin, will welcome the elite of the sport of luge for the European Championships 2008. The modifications which were done for the Viessmann World Cup, as well as the - for the FIL specially - modified Anti-Doping-Code got through the Congress without a vote against and will be included in the regulations of the FIL. This have been the most important decisions of the FIL on the 52nd Congress from June 11/ 12, 2004, in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The Executive Board of the FIL was pleased to approve the application of the Brazilian Luge Federation to held the 52nd FIL Congress in Rio de Janeiro, particularly as it showed itself very engaged in the past. As known, two Brazilian luge athletes qualified for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City (USA).

The Brazil metropolis at the sugar loaf showed itself in the best way when the FIL, for the first time in its history, arranged a Congress in the south hemisphere. The international luge family presented themselves from their best side. The delegates of 28 nations worked harmonically, reform-minded and, to top it all, unanimously and quickly the voluminous agenda off.

On initiative of the FIL Executive Board the modifications (Qualifying, restrictions of the starters field, graduation of the training depending on performance and upgrading the Nations Cup) have been introduced in the regulations just as they were supposed by the Expert Commission (sport and technic). From now on, the complicated instructions of the International Anti Doping Agency (WADA) are embedded in the statutes respectively in the IRO as demanded by International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In this relaxed atmosphere FIL President Josef Fendt could celebrate his tenth anniversary as President. He was elected as successor of the passed away president Bert Isatitsch who founded the FIL. “We are proud of the status which we have now and to which you have guided us.” said Vice President Harald Steyrer (Austria) under strong applause of the auditorium.

Fendt himself remembered on his speech when he took up the office and listed the progresses realized from this time on. In those days, according to Fendt, the total expenses were 800.000 Euro and the sole income were the IOC subsidies and a small contract for helmets. “Today, the total expenses are four times higher, but you have to remember that alone the share of prize money payments for the athletes rose for more than 400 percents.” mentioned Fendt in his report. “ For the direct support of athletes we met costs of one million Euro”.

As “trailblazing” called Fendt the decision to realize the own-label TV production. “So we ensure that all World Cups are produced and transmitted worldwide.” explained Fendt. Only because of this, it is possible to conclude interesting contracts for TV rights and sponsoring. Accordingly, the report on the budgets of “Treasurer” Steyrer was positive. Unanimous the delegates relieved the Executive Board for the 2003/2004 budget.

What would be a congress without an attractive supporting programme? The Brazilian Federation with Eric Maleson on top showed the congress participants the fascinating beauty of Rio. His co-operation with National Olympic Committee of Brazil is full of praise, too. Highlights were a trip to the Christ’s statue as well as the visit of the Olympic torch relay for Athens 2004 which made for the first time stop over at the Copacabana in South America.