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FIL President Fendt meets senior figures in PyeongChang

Sportminister China +Fendt

PyeongChang (RWH): The President of the International Luge Federation (FIL), Josef Fendt of Germany, held meetings with a number of senior figures during his trip to the Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang (KOR). As well as attending a joint reception held by the USA’s National Olympic Committee and USA Luge (USLA), he also met with future Olympic hosts China and Japan’s luge association.

The focus of Fendt’s meeting with Sports Minister Guo Zhongwen was the development of luge in China in view of the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing. They also held in-depth discussions on the FIL’s application to have further disciplines added to the Olympic programme, including the women’s doubles, sprint competitions and natural track races. Fendt extended an offer of support to Guo Zhongwen, who is also President of China’s National Olympic Committee (NOC). Fendt also praised the outstanding collaboration regarding the development of the future Olympic track and invited a Chinese delegation to visit the FIL’s headquarters in Berchtesgaden. Their visit will also include a guided tour of natural track facilities in Austria and Italy.

Meanwhile, Fendt’s meeting with Takahiro Kitano, the President of Japan’s sliding sports association, focused primarily on the future of the Olympic track in Nagano. As is generally known, the City of Nagano does not wish to run the track on its own in future. A number of options are currently being assessed as to who could and should take over operations at this unique artificial track – which many people involved in sliding sports believe to be one of the finest in the world.

The track is also due to be included in Sapporo’s potential application to host the 2026 Winter Games. The Japanese association is very keen to keep the track running and already has its sights set on a meeting with the head of the FIL’s Track Construction Commission. The meeting with Markus Aschauer (GER) is expected to focus on modern operating concepts and the necessary renovation measures.