Sochi / Russia (pps) President Josef Fendt is ahead of his fifth term of office as President of the International Luge Federation, FIL. The 62-year old from Berchtesgaden, Germany, had been first elected as successor to the FIL founding President Bert Isatitsch of Austria in Rome in 1994. At the upcoming 58th FIL Congress to take place in Sochi, Russia, on June 18-19, 2010, he will be the only candidate running for this office. Similarly, there are no rival candidates neither for Secretary General Svein Romstad (USA), Harald Steyer of Austria, Vice President Finances, nor for Einars Fogelis, Vice-President for Technical Affairs Artificial Track.
Under the leadership of Fendt, during his active career twice World champion (1970 and 1974), the number of FIL Member Federations has amounted to now 53 nations. Thanks to a professional management of the Viessmann Luge World Cup as the most important figurehead, the sport of luge is now an inherent part of the programme of Olympic Winter Games. The Team Event, advanced and promoted by Fendt, might be ahead of its debut at the 2014 Olympic Games. Additionally, during his term of office, the TV presence has doubled, the number of reports in the written media has grown permanently and there is a rather noteworthy consistency with regard to the sponsors. Already since 1996, main sponsor Viessmann is partner of the FIL.
In Sochi, the FIL Congress will also decide upon applications to change the International Luge Regulations (IRO). Furthermore, Olympic host Sochi and Cesana, Italy, as host of the upcoming 2011 FIL World Championships, will be giving reports on the state of affairs.
Last but not least - during the FIL Congress Austria’s Christoph Schweiger will be presented as the future Executive Director of the International Luge Federation, FIL, and thus as successor to Hartmut Kardaetz. 45-year old Schweiger, beforehand Secretary General with Austria’s Luge Federation and for quite some time active within the FIL working group “youth”, will become acquainted with his new range of duty working together with Executive Director Hartmut Kardaetz beginning July 1, 2010, and assume his new office on September 1, 2010.
