From left: Ignacio VERNEDA (Deputy President); Jorge VIEGAS (FIM President); Giovanni COPIOLI (Vice-President); Françoise EMERY (FIM CEO); Pedro VENTURO Jr (FIM Latin America President); Giedrė LESKAUSKIENĖ (Board Member); Michał SIKORA (FIM Europe President); Robert DINGMAN (FIM North America President); Håkan LEEMAN (Board Member); Sébastien POIRIER (Board Member); Marco COMANA (FIM Africa President); Stephan CARAPIET (FIM Asia President); Peter DOYLE (FIM Oceania President); Damiano ZAMANA (FIM Deputy CEO); Abdulrahman AL- MANNAI (Board Member)
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The Board of Directors met at the FIM HQ in Mies (Switzerland) on 3 and 4 May, ahead of the FIM X-Trial World Championship event to be held at the Geneva Arena in Geneva (Switzerland) on Saturday evening 4 May.
On this occasion, the Board addressed many topics, in particular the following:
Sport: All disciplines were discussed with a focus on the acquisition of Dorna Sports S.L. by Liberty Media Corporation. The Board confirmed welcoming this agreement. The FIM will continue to act as promoter for the FIM Flat Track World Championship as well as for the FIM Sand Races World Cup. The extension of the promotion partnership for the FIM Sidecar World Championship with Motor Presse Stuttgart for 2024 was mentioned.
In addition, the principle of the validity of FIM World Championships/Cups licences for Continental Championships in the same disciplines was agreed on. The success of registration entries in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship was highlighted with over 40 riders’ applications; 24 female riders coming from 18 different countries were selected to take part in the inaugural edition of the series on 14-16 June 2024.
The FIM Land Speed World Records were also addressed by the Board including the presentation of a new logo. A status update on the principle of inclusion of electric motorcycles along with internal combustion engines was presented. The Board agreed to the creation of the Classic Motorcycles Commission (CMC), which will be submitted to the General Assembly for consideration. The CMC will support the relevant sporting and technical Commissions to develop the classic motorcycles racing. It will also work on increasing the visibility of the FIM classic activities. The FIM Intercontinental Games were presented in detail following the official presentation held on 27 April 2024 at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto in Andalusia (Spain).
This biennial event will play a major role in the FIM’s 120th anniversary celebrations this year and be staged in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) on 30 November and 1 December 2024. This first edition will bring together the six CONUs and be dedicated to circuit racing. Faithful to its commitment to maintain anti-doping standards, in line with the highest requirements for clean and true sport, the FIM will collaborate with the International Testing Agency (ITA) to benefit from additional resources, specialised advice and technical assistance from ITA in the field of anti-doping.
Situation in Ukraine: The Board of Directors reiterated its sympathy and solidarity with all those suffering, as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After having carefully considered the situation, the Board once again confirmed the decisions made during its extraordinary meeting on 5 March 2022. The FIM will continue to monitor the evolution of the situation, taking into account the specificity of motorcycle sport.
Finance: The Board approved the 2023 audited financial statements that will be submitted to the General Assembly on 6 December 2024 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain). In addition, the 2024 forecast was presented.
Liaison with National Federations/Continental Unions: The Board stressed the importance of the role of the CONUs in the development of sport & beyond sport activities. An update on the FMNs/CONUs liaison initiatives and activities was shared.
Sustainability: A Memorandum of Understanding with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) was agreed on.
Marketing and Digital: Topics such as the promotion of the FIM Trial World Championship, key figures of the FIM-MOTO.TV platform, websites’ upgrades and a status update on the FIM Sport Museum were presented to the Board.
Salon du 2 Roues: The FIM was present for the first time at the “Salon du 2 Roues” in Lyon (France) from 7 to 10 March 2024, hosting more than 150,000 spectators, with an exhibition space of 300 m2. Together with l’Amicale Spirit of Speed, the European Club of Collectors of historic road racing motorcycles, a selection of over 30 motorcycles that covered the history of the FIM since its creation in 1904, was displayed.
Amendments to the Codes: The Board approved amendments to the Statutes, By-Laws and Sporting Code that will be submitted to the 2024 General Assembly for consideration. Several amendments to the Environmental Code were also approved by the Board.
Commissions: The following changes were made to the composition of the FIM Commissions:
CMS – Member, Mr Erkki HEIKKINEN (SML)
CMS – Member, Mr Karsten SCHNEIDER (DMSB)
The Board further ratified the withdrawal of CTR Member Mr Dave ALLEN (AMA).
FIM-FIA Committee: Mr Jan Stovicek (Chair)
provided a progress report on the joint projects and activities on themes such as “United Against Online Abuse” coalition charter and concussions.
The CONU Presidents, Board Committees, Working Groups and Departments of the Administration presented to the Board their progress reports on their respective projects.
FIM Communications