President of the International Luge Federation Josef Fendt met with his IBU and UIPM counterparts at the recent World Biathlon Championships ©FIL

President of the International Luge Federation (FIL) Josef Fendt met representatives from the International Biathlon Union (IBU), International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) and Sweden’s bid for the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, during a visit to the recent Biathlon World Championships in Östersund.

The 71-year-old, serving his seventh term as President, linked up with IBU President Olle Dahlin, UIPM President Klaus Schormann and the chief executive of Stockholm’s bid for the 2026 Games, Richard Brisius.

First elected as President 25 years ago, Fendt also met the governor of South Tyrol in Italy, Arno Kompatscher.

They discussed Milan’s joint bid for the 2026 Games alongside Cortina d’Ampezzo.

The International Olympic Committee is due to select its host from the two options at its session in Lausanne on June 24.

So far neither bid for the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games has received formal Government backing ©Stockholm Åre 2026
So far neither bid for the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games has received formal Government backing ©Stockholm Åre 2026

Both bids face significant challenges in their battle to win hosting rights.

Stockholm’s bid is yet to receive formal backing from Sweden’s Government, with the administration refusing to say whether it would support the campaign as recently as March 15.

The joint Milan/Cortina bid is also yet to receive formal backing from the Italian Government.

A deadline of April 12 for the full guarantees has been set by the IOC but Christophe Dubi, the executive director for the Olympic Games, has said missing this would not signal the end for either bid.

Instead, he hinted it could be extended until June 24, when the IOC is set to chose its host city.