International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation
History
The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), formerly known as Fédération Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing (FIBT), is the international sports federation governing bobsleigh and skeleton. It was founded on November 23, 1923, by delegates from Great Britain, France, Switzerland, and the United States at a meeting held in Paris, FranceParis, France.
The federation's initial focus was on bobsleigh, with skeleton being included in the federation's purview in 1926. The first bobsleigh World Championships were held in 1930, while the first skeleton World Championships took place in 1982. The federation changed its name to the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation in 2015 to reflect its governance over both sports.
Structure and Governance
The IBSF is governed by a Congress, which is the highest authority and meets annually. The Congress elects the President, who serves a four-year term and can be re-elected. The current president is Ivo Ferriani of Italy, who has been in office since 2010.
The federation's Executive Committee, composed of the President, Vice Presidents, Secretary General, and other members, is responsible for the day-to-day operations. The IBSF headquarters are located in Lausanne, SwitzerlandLausanne, Switzerland.
Sports and Competitions
The IBSF oversees the sports of bobsleigh and skeleton at the international level. It organizes the World Championships, Continental Championships, and World Cup series in both sports. The federation also supervises the bobsleigh and skeleton events at the Winter Olympic GamesWinter Olympics.
Bobsleigh is a winter sport in which teams make timed runs down narrow, twisting, banked, iced tracks in a gravity-powered sled. The sport has two main formats: two-person and four-person bobsleigh.
Skeleton is a winter sliding sport in which a single rider descends a frozen track while lying face down on a small sled. It is named after the bony appearance of the sled.
Development and Promotion
The IBSF is committed to the development and promotion of bobsleigh and skeleton worldwide. It conducts coaching and officiating courses, provides equipment support to developing nations, and promotes youth participation through its youth programs.
The federation also works to ensure the sports' integrity and fair play by implementing strict anti-doping policies and procedures. It collaborates with the World Anti-Doping AgencyWADA to ensure compliance with international anti-doping standards.