“Great story – fit for Olympic Games”
Berchtesgaden (pps) The most successfull lugers world-wide have launched a vigorous appeal for the inclusion of the Team Relay Event within the programme of the Olympic Winter Games. “I believe the Team Relay Event to be a very successful competition since its focus is on the team spirit. This Team Relay Event is a great event for us athletes and it well deserves to be included within the Olympic Games”, said Tatjana Huefner of Germany. And she can be sure to have the full support of all athletes.
The 2010 Olympic and two-time World champion as well as three-time overall Viessmann Luge World Cup winner counts on the receptiveness of Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, IOC, who has the personal mandate to make a final ruling in spring 2011. “I truly hope that IOC President Jacques Rogge will approve the Team Relay Event so that it will be included within the Olympic programme”, explained Tatjana Huefner.
Similarly Italy’s Armin Zoeggeler, with two Olympic gold medals and five World Championship titles currently the most successful luger world-wide, lobbies this competition: “The Team Relay Event is not only a success story with the athletes but with spectators and media alike. From my point of view this competition complies one hundred percent with all respective IOC criteria”, said the luger from South Tyrol.
The upcoming 42nd FIL Luge World Championships in Cesana, Italy, at the end of January, offer the greatest opportunity to promote the Team Relay Event – an IOC delegation will then determine its Olympic suitability. IOC President Jacques Rogge has announced his visit at the final of the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Sigulda, Latvia, to watch the Team Relay Event – it will be a perfect occasion for the lugers to persuade the IOC President himself.
