One vote fails, another finds the majority
Historic first FIL Extraordinary Congress addresses motions related to the Russian war

Grossgmain (FIL) On Friday, April 8, 2022, the first Extraordinary Congress of the FIL, at the request of six national member federations (Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, USA and Ireland), was held online.

The aim of the members was the expulsion of the Russian Luge Federation as a member of the FIL as well as the immediate expulsion of the Russian officials elected by the Congress.

According to the FIL Statutes, a two-thirds majority was required to expel the Federation and a simple majority to expel the elected officals.

The first motion, concerning the expulsion of the Russian Luge Federation from the FIL, was rejected as it failed to achieve a two thirds majority with 31 total votes cast. There were 15 votes in favor of the expulsion and twelve votes against and four abstentions.

The second motion for the immediate expulsion of the Russian officials elected by the Congress passed with a simple majority. Of 32 votes cast, 16 were in favor of the immediate exclusion of the Russian officials from the FIL bodies. 13 delegates voted against the motion and there were three abstentions.

FIL President Einars Fogelis: "Today we made history with the first Extraordinary Congress since the existence of the FIL, but it was also a sad day given that this action stemmed from the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. I appeal to Russia to immediately end the war in Ukraine and put an end to the unspeakable human suffering."

One day before, on April 7, 2022, the FIL Court of Arbitration set aside the FIL Executive Board's decision of March 2, 2022, whereby it took certain actions against Russia.