Chinese delegation visits the FIL

Königssee (RWH) From one Olympics to the next: no sooner have the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang, Korea, been consigned to the history books, than thoughts turn to the next Winter Games in Beijing, China. A five-member delegation from China paid a visit to the International Luge Federation (FIL) in Berchtesgaden during the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Königssee.

The visitors were led by Ni Huizhong, Director General of China Winter Sports Administrative Center. The head of the delegation has the full support of the Chinese Winter Sports Federations. During the visit to the FIL office and the artificial ice track in Königssee, he also secured support for the setup and development of China’s luge team.

FIL President Josef Fendt highlighted the positive cooperation between the Chinese winter sports umbrella organisation, the Luge Federation and the organising committee BOCOG. Fendt praised the appointment of Wolfgang Schädler as head coach, an internationally recognised expert, as a successful move. He also stated that it was important to familiarise the Chinese athletes with all international tracks to enable them to gain experience and to lay a solid foundation for Olympic qualification in 2020. He also explained that work should now begin on the ongoing development of the sport of luge in China for the period after the Winter Olympics in 2022.

At the Königssee track, the delegation was impressed by the luge racers. Königssee director Markus Aschauer showed the delegation the track infrastructure on a tour of the finishing area. The visitors were particularly interested in the timing system.