Sochi (pps) In the presence of numerous illustrious guests the International Luge Federation (FIL) celebrated its anniversary “50 Years of Luge at Olympic Games” at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia, on Thursday. On the occasion of the ceremony at the “Kufernstüberl” FIL President Josef Fendt welcomed the Vice President of the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Sir Craig Reedie of Great Britain, and IOC Executive Director Gilbert Felli (SUI).

Also among the guests at the FIL anniversary were René Fasel (Switzerland), President of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IHF), Anders Besseberg (Norway), President of the International Biathlon Union (IBU), Ivo Ferriani (Italy), President of the International Bobsleigh Federation (FIBT) and Kate Caithness (Great Britain), President of the World Curling Federation (WCF). Additionally, Prof. Walther Tröger, Honorary IOC Member, and entrepreneur Prof. Dr. Martin Viessmann, managing director of the main FIL sponsor, attended the festivities.

In a short speech Fendt, who officiated at 12 Olympic Games in different functions, took a look back on the beginnings in 1964 and outlined the connections to the first Winter Games in Russia. In the evening, the FIL Team Relay event celebrated its première at Olympic Games as the fourth luge discipline.

The festivities on the occasion of “50 Years of Luge at Olympic Games” will be continued at the FIL Congress in Innsbruck (Austria) on June 20-21, 2014.