Berchtesgaden (pps) The luge family keeps growing: At the Executive Board meeting of the International Luge Federation (FIL) held in Berchtesgaden, Germany, Kazakhstan was accepted as a provisional member, thus raising the number of member federations of the FIL to 53. At the 57th FIL Congress in Liberec (CZE), Turkey and Tonga had been accepted as provisional FIL members.
The Executive Board meeting held at the Hotel Zechmeisterlehen focused on the preparations for the 2009/2010 Olympic season with the highlight of the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada (February 12 to 28, 2010). As in previous years, the FIL grants considerable travel and transportation subsidies to its national federations.
Furthermore, the Executive Board chaired by President Josef Fendt decided the following: Doping controls will be conducted during both competitions and training; another test of the sprint competition will be held during the Viessmann World Cup in Altenberg (December 4 – 6, 2009); with immediate effect, the new safety helmets (production series 2007/2008 and later) with their corresponding visors are also compulsory for the junior class.
In a minute of silence, the Executive Board commemorated the FIL Honorary Member Björn Walden, who died on August 6.
Franz Rasp, the mayor of Berchtesgaden, welcomed the FIL Executive Board with a champagne reception.
