Beijing (RWH) Just two months after Beijing was selected to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, the President of the International Luge Federation (FIL), Josef Fendt of Germany, visited the Chinese capital for the first time. Accompanied by Ivo Ferriani, President of the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF), Fendt met with high-profile hosts led by Sports Minister Liu Peng and Zhao Yinggang, President of the Chinese Luge Association.

The IOC was represented by Irina Gladkikh (IOC Winter Sports Director) and Tim Gayda (IOC Sports Advisor). Amongst several topics the parties also discussed the location of the sliding center and further steps in the development.Both associations are increasingly pushing for reduced track construction costs and have requested that the cost of additional buildings that have not been requested by the IBSF or the FIL should be reviewed.

Fendt discussed the development of luge in the future Olympic host city during an in-depth meeting with Zhao Yinggang, who is also Deputy General Secretary of the Bid Committee, which is still active. The President of China’s Luge Association was very grateful for the involvement of Wolfgang Schädler, which was initiated by the FIL. In his new role as sports coordinator, the Liechtenstein-born trainer recently ran the first ever professional training course in China before selecting the members of the new national team.