Innsbruck (pps) The International Luge Federation (FIL) has decorated its Vice-President Harald Steyrer from Austria with its medal of honor in gold. With this, the FIL acknowledged Steyrer’s commitment to the sport of luge at the beginning of its 55th Congress in Innsbruck, Austria.
The medal of honor in silver was awarded to Geoff Balme, President of the New Zealand luge federation and FIL Vice-President for Oceania. The medal of honor in bronze was given to Maria Jasencakova from Slovakia, who participated in five Olympic Winter Games and was elected to the FIL Executive Board last year.

The medal of honor in silver was awarded to John Mowry (USA), Denis Guertin (USA), Martin Findura (SVK) and Herbert Feix (CZE), who were not present to receive their decorations. The medal of honor in bronze was awarded to Peteris Cimanis, Santa Riekstina and Dana Grube, all of whom are from Latvia and did not attend the Congress.

The Austrian Luge Federation seized the opportunity to acknowledge the excellent organization of the 2007 Luge World Championships by awarding medals of honor in gold to Dr. Michael Bielowski (OC President 2007 World Championships), Sigi Visintainer (Head of OC Rodel-ARGE) and Peter Knauseder (Secretary General Rodel-ARGE).