At the Congress of the International Luge Federation (FIL), which took place in online format, the representative of Latvia, Einars Fogelis, was unanimously elected President of FIL on Friday.
All 30 voters voted for Fogel as president of FIL, with one ballot paper not being sent.
The presidential elections were usually held in person through ballots, but this time they were held online, but also in secret.
After introducing himself to the presidential candidate, no questions were put to Fogel.
Former German President Joseph Fendt announced in February that he would step down as president of the organization at the congress. Congress was due to take place in June, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was postponed to the fall.
The 73-year-old German resigned after more than 26 years of work. He based his decision on wanting to spend more time on private life.
Fendt was confirmed as the interim president of the FIL on February 8, 1994, after the death of Bert Izatich, but on June 25 of the same year, he was officially elected to the FIL Congress. According to FIL itself, FIL became the modern federation of the 1976 Olympic vice-champion under Fendt. He set up the FIL office, promoted the introduction of standardized safety helmets and supported associations of smaller countries.
At the congress, Fendt commemorated his career in luge, thanked everyone involved in the sport for working together and officially resigned. Fendt had previously mentioned Fogel, the current Secretary-General of the FIL, as his successor.
To become president of FIL, a candidate had to receive the support of at least half of the members.
Fogelis is the first Latvian representative to become the president of a world federation of an Olympic sport.
Fogelis has been the Secretary General of the FIL since the summer of 2018, but before that he had been the Vice President of Technical Affairs of the FIL since 1994. He is also Fendta’s successor as auditor of the International Association of Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF).
Fogelis is also the President of the Council of Latvian Sports Federations (LSFP) and the Chairman of the Board of the Latvian Olympic Unit (LOV).
The 68th FIL Congress also adopted the new FIL Strategic Plan, which includes FIL’s work until the 2026 Olympic Games.
“The current situation forces us to re-prioritize and move towards the main goal – a strong sport and a strong federation in the Olympic movement. Since the last congress in Ljubljana, we have all worked together and worked hard to develop a FIL strategic plan. I am very grateful to many colleagues in the FIL community. for their selfless work and the time they have invested in developing this new strategic plan, “said Fogelis.
The strategic plan has been developed over the last year and a half under the leadership of FIL Secretary General Fogel.
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