World Championships as possibility to shine or fail
The 51st FIS Congress will come to an end in Costa Navarino (GRE) today, Friday, and looking back on the past few days, I couldn’t be any happier. The film about my company that was shown in front of Ski Jumping experts was well received. Already before that and even more afterwards, I had important talks with people that deepened existing collaborations or opened up new possible new partnerships. And I came into contact with new faces in the world of winter sports - networking may not be everything, but is an important step along the path to cooperation.
I was particularly pleased what was already on track now is official. The Ski Flying World Championships will take place in Vikersund in 2022, and OC chairwoman Tone K. Kristiansen summed up the importance of this event as followed: "we have proven in the past that we can host such events. And it is important to have a long-term goal, to motivate employees, to question and possibly improve organizational and event-related processes, even though we admire ski flyers on our hill every winter. The 2022 World Cup will be a celebration for all of us, including around 1,000 volunteers." Partners and sponsors are also important, Kristiansen continued. "We are very pleased that sponsors and companies retain their loyalty and work together with us, as for example Peter Riedel in the area of in-runs." I can only answer: Thanks!
Two years before the Ski Flying World Championships in Vikersund, the Nordic Junior World Championships will take place in my home area, in Oberwiesenthal. That's great because Oberwiesenthal has shown that it is quite capable of creating successful events in the past, just think of the Summer Grand Prix for the Nordic Combined. Nevertheless, a World Championship is a different caliber of event at which everything has to fit perfectly from the opening to the closing ceremony on many different levels: sport, organization, logistics, media, and so on. A World Championship offers the opportunity to shine. But it also carries the danger of failure for the host.
The region of Saxony is supporting the event with a considerable sum of money, but if money is not used carefully, then also millions are soon too few. And the year 2020 is just around the corner. Roll up your sleeves and start working as soon as possible is my wish to the organizers and people in charge. And if my expertise is needed, I will be available, as it was always in the past.
Gian Franco Kasper is expected to be confirmed as FIS president during the day. For some, he is outdated, others think that finally younger persons should take over. But certain skills cannot be bought or learned. What Kasper has to offer in terms of life experience and sport-policy know-how should be appreciated, taken into consideration - and also used.
