21 August 2006 - One million dollars for the FITA foundation and a new office!

PRESS RELEASE

21 August 2006 - Lausanne, Switzerland

 

 

One million dollars for the FITA foundation and a new office!

 

For its 75th anniversary, the International Archery Federation (FITA) put on a superb show and received a great present from its former FITA President Jim Easton: one million dollars for the FITA Development Foundation.

 

The Celebration

Led by the President, Dr Ugur Erdener from Turkey, the celebrations at the new office and on the archery field in Vidy (Lausanne, Switzerland) fulfilled the utmost expectations from the numerous VIPs worldwide and the fans.

 

The new office at the Maison du Sport International in Lausanne was officially opened with a cutting ribbon ceremony by:

The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sport, Mr. Mehmet Ali Sahin The Turkish Finance Minister, Mr. Kemal Unakitan The ASOIF President and IOC Executive Member, Mr. Denis Oswald The President of Vaud, Mr. Pascal Broulis Then, the commemorative plaque for the office opening was revealed by:
The General Director of IOC, Mr. Urs Lacotte  The City Councilor for Sport of Lausanne, Mr. Marc Vuilleumier

A FITA Sponsors’ board was presented by their representatives: Meteksan Major Event Services, KIA Motors, Turkish Airlines, Balmain Swiss Watches, Swiss Timing and Tepe Constructions. Finally the 1400 pts Wall of Fame was inaugurated. It revealed T-shirts memorabilia of the three archers who passed the famous 1400 pts barrier in a FITA Round for the first time in their category: Clint Freeman (AUS), Mary Hamm (USA) -replaced by Sofia Goncharova (RUS) for the occasion- and Park Sung-Hyun (KOR).

 

These athletes then went on for exhibition matches that proved to be a true show and a revelation of modern archery for many. Live video screen, cutting edge technology, on field animations and top classes performances were displayed on the Vidy archery field! Even the VIPs and worldwide sports authorities participated in the famous “Wave”.

 In recurve, the junior mixed Turkish Team beat the junior mixed Swiss team in a match that showed the existing fairplay and the future talents of archery.  In recurve woman, the Olympic Champion Park Sung-Hyun (KOR) won the Swiss Champion, Nathalie Dielen (SUI). The best Swiss woman in Compound Tania Forni surprisingly took the best of World Champion Sofia Goncharova (RUS) in a very tight match. The upraising Swiss star Patrizio Hofer almost got a perfect score (119 out of 120) to edge the former World Champion Clint Freeman (AUS).

More than the outcomes of the matches, the overall atmosphere was highly enjoyable for the numerous fans the VIPs and it carried over the official diner on a Lake Léman boat.

 

 

More photos...

 

 

The Foundation

A FITA Development Foundation was officially created to support the development of archery worldwide. This foundation will give athletes scholarship, material support, coaching seminars and run special programs such as “Viva America” which allows junior archers to take part in Junior World Championships later this year.

 

The Foundation Board is composed of the FITA President and Vice-President, the Secretary General, the FITA Honorary President Jim Easton and Honorary Secretary General Giuseppe Cinnirella.

 

The Foundation is being financed by one million dollars given by Jim Easton, while FITA will provide the same amount over the next four years. The foundation is also supported by the development Fund partners such as Danage of Scandinavia, Easton Arrows, Hoyt, Ragim, Rosa Inc, Ragim, Samick, Wadi Degla Sporting Club and Win & Win Archery Co.

 

FITA would like to deeply thank Jim Easton for this exceptional gesture. This is one out of many in his long-time involvement in sports, which features the position of mayor of the athletes’ village at the 1984 Olympic Games, the Presidency of FITA from 1989 until 2005 and an IOC Membership. During the celebration of the office opening, Jim Easton received the Spirit of Sports Award, from the GAISF President Mr. Hein Verbrüggen, for his life-long achievements.

 

Didier Miéville

FITA Communication Director