Zwickau (pps) The International Luge Federation (FIL) mourns the death of Karl Zenker, who died, at age 70, in Zwickau on Saturday, July 7, 2007 after a long illness. “With Karl Zenker, the international luge sport has not only lost an outstandingly committed and deserved sport official, but also an affectionate and always cheerful person and dear friend”, the world federation wrote in a mailing.

From 1989 until his death, Karl Zenker was the Chairman of the FIL Sport Commission and thus FIL Executive Board member. In this responsibility, he came up with many ideas for the further development of the international luge sport, particularly with regard to promoting young talents. Officiating as chairman or member of the jury at all kinds of major international luge competitions including Olympic Winter Games, everybody in the FIL family grew to know him and hold him in high esteem. He played a major role in updating the International Luge Regulations (IRO).

Born in Treuen/Vogtland, Germany, the former miner, who later became deputy mayor of the city of Zwickau, set his heart on sports at an early age. For more than 35 years, he devoted himself to the sport of luge as an official. He was an active member of the sports club „Eisenbahnersportverein Lokomotive Zwickau“ and one of the initiators of the world’s first plastic luge track. In 2005, this track received an “IOC/IAKS” award in the grade “Special Distinction”. This award is offered by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS).