Ferriani: Winter IFs Confident Despite Beijing 2022 Uncertainty

(ATR) International winter sports and bobsleigh federation president Ivo Ferriani says there is mutual confidence among the seven IF leaders that down-to-the-wire Beijing 2022 test events will be delivered smoothly.

Ferriani adds that his personal feeling about Beijing 2022 is "very positive" and the IOC’s Chinese partners are "ready for any kind of problems" as border restrictions remain in place amid reports this week of a possible U.S.-led boycott.

Ten international events and three training weeks between October and December are on the revamped schedule. The Beijing Organizing Committee (BOCOG) remains in constant virtual communication with the respective IFs and IOC regarding athlete qualification solutions.

"We have created a very harmonious group of work between the seven winter IFs," Ferriani tells Around the Rings. "All of us have different needs, so we have to be flexible and cannot make one solution fit all.

"We are all focused to find solutions for the next Games. I feel that we have a huge energy during these difficult times. Everything is solvable."

With vaccinations and a decline in COVID-19 cases worldwide, China could relax restrictions and open its borders in October, just prior to the test events.

Ferriani also specifically addressed the rescheduled bobsleigh and skeleton test events, which will be preceded by a three-week training period at the Yanqing National Sliding Center from Oct. 5-25.

"It impacts a lot of next season’s program – believe me it’s tough, difficult and painful because we have to paralyze and optimize our track," Ferriani says.

"The change was necessary due to this unbelievable situation – we have to live with that and do our best in the best interest in global sport. We have to be flexible or we will not survive the situation."

Ferriani adds that it is also crucial to implement a "fair qualification process for everyone".

The bobsleigh and skeleton chief said his last trip to the new sliding center was in October for the venue’s pre-homologation.

"There were just minor things to fine tune, but the track is ready, the venue is unbelievable and they are absolutely ready," he said.

Ferriani said safety is paramount and the plan is to offer all sliding athletes 40 runs minimum in October to be fully prepared for Olympic competition.

"The track is tricky, demanding, but absolutely safe," said the Italian bobsleigh Olympian. "It is a very interesting track."

While the main focus for the IFs is on next winter’s international test events, a 10-day ice sports test program is currently being conducted by Beijing organizers from April 1-10.

Five Winter Olympic and two Winter Paralympic events are being used to test competition organization, venue operation, and services and safeguarding. The project engages all ice sports, namely short track speed skating, speed skating, figure skating, ice hockey, curling, para ice hockey and wheelchair curling.

Ferriani believes that the final twists and turns leading to Beijing will actually be easier than the unforeseen problems that have already been faced.

"I think the most difficult period for the seven winter IFs was last winter because we had to replace protocols and create bubbles that we never, ever thought about," said the Italian sports leader.

Ferriani noted that he was highly impressed with the flexibility of his sport’s athletes. Despite rescheduling of events, IBSF conducted eight World Cup events and a world championship, which was moved from Lake Placid, New York, to Altenburg, Germany this past winter.

The Italian IOC member summarized his thoughts with a final vote of confidence for his fellow winter IFs and the Beijing 2022 Games.

"All of the winter sports federations, with a common commitment, we are ready to solve any problems," Ferriani said.

"I have no doubt that we will have great Games in Beijing – 100 percent."

Written and reported by Brian Pinelli

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