Berlin (pps) The German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel has congratulated Josef Fendt from Berchtesgaden on his re-election as the President of the International Luge Federation (FIL). „Your re-election to this important office is an impressive sign of your consistent and active commitment to and for the benefit of this federation during many years“, explained Angela Merkel in a personal letter to Fendt.

At the 54th FIL Congress held at the end of June, the general manager of the municipality of Berchtesgaden had been confirmed in his office – just like his Presidium members Svein Romstad (Secretary General) from the USA and Harald Steyrer (Vice-President Finance) from Austria. „I would like to wish you and the entire Presidium great success in handling the tasks you are going to face as well as the right touch in all of your decisions. You will certainly succeed in continuing the positive development of the FIL“, the Chancellor continued.

Congratulations also arrived from the Minister of the Interior, the German minister responsible for sports. „This great sign of confidence that the delegates have shown to you by unanimously re-electing you as their President, certainly also expresses the gratitude for your achievements in the highest office of the FIL since 1994 “, wrote Wolfgang Schäuble. „In the past few years, the Executive Board of the world luge federation, which you have been leading with great experience and sure instinct during this time, has made the international luge sport fit for the future. To a great extent, this is your merit“, the letter from the Ministry of the Interior based in Berlin reads.

On June 25, 1994, Fendt succeeded the late FIL’s founding President Bert Isatitsch (Austria). In 2007, on the occasion of its 55th Congress in Innsbruck, the FIL will celebrate its 50th anniversary.