Successful start: The first day of the Congress focused on the future,
responsibility, and setting the course for the Olympics

Tampere (FIL/June 18, 2025) The 73rd Congress of the International Luge Federation (FIL) began with a festive opening ceremony on June 17, 2025 in Tampere, Finland. Representatives from 34 member nations gathered to discuss the future direction of international luge.

After the official welcome by FIL President Einars Fogelis (Latvia) on June 18 in the Congress Center “Tampere Hall” and the president of the host Finnish federation, Jani Tilvis, the focus was on the president's detailed report. Fogelis reported on numerous strategic decisions for the federation. First and foremost, the president emphasized the importance of the upcoming season with regard to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. But he also mentioned the 2028 Youth Olympic Games in Italy and the newly selected Olympic venues in the French Alps with La Plagne in 2030 and Salt Lake City in 2034.

The president pointed out the significance of these decisions for the sport of luge and underlined the need for action in the areas of infrastructure, sustainability, youth development, and digital transformation. Fogelis placed particular emphasis on developments surrounding the new Olympic track in Cortina d'Ampezzo. The successful completion of the pre-homologation in the spring was a historic milestone, but “the second half of the work” must now be carried out with the same determination in order to be able to hold international training weeks and test competitions in November 2025 as planned. The modernized artificial ice track at Königssee and the renovation in Igls were also highlighted as central pillars of the future sports infrastructure.

Other key points in the president's speech were:·

• FIL joining the “Sports for Climate Action Framework” and strategic sustainability initiatives
• Expansion of training centers in Asia, North America, and Europe
• Promotion of the new discipline of “alpine luge” to expand the sport's reach and promote youth development
• Stronger international media presence and targeted sponsorship measures
• Planned strategy development “SLIDE 2034” with a focus on young target groups and digital innovation

Secretary General Dwight Bell (USA) then presented his report, which focused in particular on media rights, marketing initiatives and the international visibility of the sport.

Dwight Bell highlighted the successful pre-homologation of the track in Cortina for the 2026 Winter Olympics as an important milestone of the past season. He emphasized that luge is entering a new era – with more sustainable and modern tracks, stronger media partnerships, and long-term Olympic planning through 2034. “We have never been so well positioned for the future,” he concluded, thanking all partners, employees, and volunteers for their commitment to the sport.

FIL Vice President for Sport, Claire DelNegro, provided a detailed update on the qualification process for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. She presented the key points of the system, which is designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and equal opportunities worldwide. Particular attention will be paid to the optimal use of the new ice track in Cortina and close cooperation with the IOC and the organizing committee to provide all athletes with the best possible conditions during the qualification period and for a possible replacement system for injured athletes in the Olympic team relay.

Later in the day, various minor changes to the FIL statutes and the International Luge Rules (IRO) for artificial and natural tracks were approved. The delegates approved motions on FIL membership and its recognition by the respective national Olympic committees and the payment of membership fees for full and provisional members. Sporting and technical adjustments were made to the text of the rules.

Safe Sport Rules are now part of the FIL Ethics Code

Dr. Christian Krähe, Chairman of the FIL Legal Committee, and Ethics Officer Karl-Friedrich Schauhoff presented an important proposal by FIL Sport Integrity Manager Steven Harris to expand the FIL Ethics Code. The aim was to officially incorporate the Safe Sport Rules into the Ethics Code. These rules contain specific provisions to protect all those involved in sport – especially children and young people – from psychological, physical and sexual abuse and harrassment. The FIL Executive Board and the FIL Integrity Manager supported the proposal in order to ensure a safe and respectful sporting environment in the long term.

The delegates at the 73rd FIL Congress unanimously approved the inclusion of the rules for Safe Sport.

FIL Congress disallows Russian athletes from Milan-Cortina 2026

The 73rd Congress of the International Luge Federation (FIL) decided in a democratic process on June 18, 2025, in Tampere (Finland) to continue to disallow Russian athletes from FIL competitions, as already confirmed by the FIL Executive Board in 2022 and the FIL Congress in 2024. In a second vote, the process for participation as AIN (neutral athletes) in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina was also rejected.

Financial report and budget approved

FIL Vice President for Finance, Geoff Balme (New Zealand), presented the audited financial statements for 2024/25 and presented the new budget for the period from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. Both financial reports were approved by the Congress.

The Control Commission certified that the Presidium had managed the budget correctly and in an economically responsible manner. Cortina 2026 – International training approved by urgent resolution, the official international training week and a test competition on the new Olympic track in Cortina were set for November 2025.

This will serve as final preparation for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina and test the resilience of the new facility under real competition conditions.

Innovative training opportunities in Finland

Esa Salmiheimo presented the ice sports facilities in the “Vesileppis” ice cave in Finland, including a newly built ice ramp for luge start training. In July 2025, the FIL will organize an international training camp there for athletes from all over the world – an exciting project for season preparation and talent promotion.

At the end of the first day of the congress, various work reports and presentations from the areas of sport, technology, natural track/public sledding, marketing and athles’ commission were presented.

The World Luge Congress will continue on Thursday, June 19, and will focus in particular on the coordination of rule documents, the awarding of FIL championships until 2029, the determination of the congress location for 2027, and political positions.