FIL Executive Board meeting in Riga - Important decisions on finances, sports development and the 2026 Winter Olympics

Riga (FIL/14 Sep 2024) On September 12 and 13, 2024, the Executive Board meeting of the International Luge Federation (FIL) took place in Riga, Latvia. Under the leadership of FIL President Einars Fogelis (LAT), numerous key topics for the future of the sport of luge were discussed.

A key item on the agenda was the financial report by the Vice President for Finance, Geoff Balme (NZL). In addition to an overview of the FIL's current financial situation and the budget proposal for the coming years, important decisions were made regarding future investments, including in new TV productions and graphic services. Initiatives with regard to climate change were also discussed in order to further promote the sustainability of sport.

President Einars Fogelis and Secretary General Dwight Bell (USA) gave the Executive Board an update on the construction of the Olympic track in Cortina d'Ampezzo (ITA) for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The construction is progressing according to plan and is seen as a key element in the preparation for the Games.

Vice President for Sport Claire DelNegro (USA) presented the report from Development Director Fred Zimny (USA) on the status of sport development in both artificial and natural track luge. His report highlighted the progress that has been made in the area of youth development and the global development of the sport.

In the area of sport, Vice President Sport Claire DelNegro provided information on the upcoming pre-homologation of the Olympic track in Cortina. At the same time, the Executive Board members received an update on the FIL delegation's planning for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games Milan-Cortina.

Other important decisions were made regarding the allocation of athlete bonuses for the 2024/2025 season, the equipment of racing boots and helmets and the schedule for the 2025 FIL Congress in Finland. In addition, the plans for the World Cup calendar for the 2025/2026 Olympic season and beyond were discussed intensively in order to ensure that the competitions run smoothly and are adapted to the current global changes.

The FIL is thus ideally positioned for the challenges ahead and continues to focus on the strong development of the sport of luge at international level.