Josef Fendt to Serve Seventh Term as FIL President -- Federation Focus

(ATR) The International Luge Federation Congress begins Saturday in Bratislava and current president Josef Fendt is running unopposed to lead the next four-year cycle.

Fendt, 70, has held the position since 1994. The German has served as the second president in the organization’s history, taking over after the death of Bert Isatitsch.

IIHF president René Fasel is the only current Winter International Federation head to serve a longer term. Fasel was also elected in 1994.

Fendt recently advocated for Russian athletes to compete in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games and expressed interest in furthering the sport in Asia to ATR last year.

Grammy-Winning NERVO to Perform at VNL Finals

Australian twin sisters Mim and Liv Nervo comprise the DJ group NERVO and will debut a new song at the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Finals.

NERVO co-wrote the David Guetta and Kelly Rowland single "When Love Takes Over," which won a Grammy Award in 2010. The duo will perform in Nanjing on June 27 for the women’s final and in Lille on July 8 for the men’s final.

This move is the latest in a trend for the FIVB to enhance fan experience at their events. The International Volleyball Federation has already secured in-house production for all its events and promoted gender equality in the league. Prize money and format are equal for men and women in the competition.

The VNL started this year and features 16 international teams in both a men’s and women’s bracket, each competing at least 15 matches per season.

FIS Proposes Telemark Skiing for Beijing 2022

The ski federation officially proposed to the IOC that the telemark sprint and mixed-gender team telemark sprint be included at the next Olympic Winter Games.

Telemark skiing equipment does not bind an athlete’s heel, creating the ability to face obstacles familiar in both Alpine and Nordic competitions, such as slalom gates and uphill portions.

FIS had already proposed the addition of mixed-gender team ski jumping, a women’s Nordic Combined event, and freestyle Big Air (men and women) for Beijing 2022. The IOC will decide on all of these proposals in July.

USA Curling Hires New Development Associate

The United States Curling Association (USCA) hired Shane Stein to the position of development associate.

In a press release USCA stated, "Stein will work primarily with Kim Nawyn, the organization’s Director of Growth & Development, to support the organization’s growing number of member-focused programs, including Curling in the Gym, SafeSport, Sport Education, and many more."

Written by Jeffrey Farek

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