39 out of the 51 affiliated National Federations on Sunday took part in the Union Européenne de Cyclisme’s Congress which was held in Odense (Denmark).
The meeting, during which the assembly demonstrated its full and heartfelt support to the President of the Ukrainian Cycling Federation Andry Grivko, began with a presentation on the crowdfunding “UEC Solidarity & Unity Aid for Ukrainian Cycling” for the Ukrainian Cycling Federation and its athletes.
During the Congress, which was also attended by the President of the Union Cycliste Internationale David Lappartient, as well as the routine administrative points (approval of accounts, balance sheets, budgets, calendars for future seasons, etc.), all the initiatives taken in the first year under the presidency of Enrico Della Casa were presented, with a special focus on the progress of various points in the four-year development plan. Much time was given to the questions and comments from delegations, regarding the various sanctions taken by the IOC and UCI for the non-participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions.
The Federations’ delegates unanimously approved the reports by the President Enrico Della Casa and the General Secretary Alasdair MacLennan.
With the aim of developing and promoting cycling, the renewal of the contract between the UEC and Eurovision for the broadcasting of Elite Championships (Road, Track, Mountain Bike, BMX Racing, BMX Freestyle Park and Cyclo-Cross) was announced at the Congress for 2022-2029.
The close relationship with the Union Cycliste Internationale and the World Cycling Centre allows the UEC to continue certain initiatives with its National Federations, such as training courses for young people and the creation of new events that have been added to the European cycling circuit, such as the Cyclo-Cross Cup for the youth categories and the Coupe d’Europe des Grimpeurs which, as well as the Elite, will also be introduced for mass events.
During the meeting the new version of the UEC website www.uec.ch was also presented as well as details of some major events for the next two seasons: the Road, Mountain Bike and Track Juniors/Under23 European Championships in Anadia (Portugal) from 30 June to 19 July 2022, the Elite Road, Track, Mountain Bike and BMX Freestyle Park European Championships included in the multisport European Championships in Munich (Germany) from 11 to 20 August, and the 2023 World Championships in Glasgow (Great Britain) which will award world titles in all specialities and disciplines.
Enrico Della Casa, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme: «First, I wish to stress that the UEC is standing together with the Ukrainian Cycling Federation, its President Andry Grivko, its members, and all the Ukrainian people in such difficult and dramatic circumstances. During this first year, which was difficult due to the consequences of the pandemic which affected the whole world, we worked closely with the Management Board to achieve a unique mutual objective: to boost cycling even further on our continent through a series of innovations, some of which will already be put in place in the next few weeks.
The renewal of the contract with Eurovision Sport for 2022-2029 will allow us to continue a project started in 2016 and which has enabled us to grow significantly in terms of the quality of events on offer, broadcasting and world distribution but above all in terms of the visibility of our sport and its partners.
We are preparing for three very busy years, packed full of events which we look forward to with commitment and passion, always keeping our National Federations as our main focus, especially young people who represent our future.
I wish to thank the National Federations that took part in the Congress where some Presidents and Federations spoke and expressed important opinions about the sanctions approved by the IOC and UCI regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The UEC is always listening to its members and will carefully study all proposals and requests received. I wish to thank all these countries for their important contribution.»
At the Congress, Gold Licences were awarded to the former continental federation presidents Vladimir Holecek (Czech Republic), Wojciech Walkiewicz (Poland) and Rocco Cattaneo (Switzerland), as well as the UEC Merit to the leaders Doris Turin (Switzerland), José Calado (Portugal), Tony Kirsh (Germany) and Tom Van Damme (Belgium).
On the proposal of the President Enrico Della Casa, Rocco Cattaneo, who lead the continental confederation from 2018 to 2021, was appointed by acclamation as UEC Honorary President.
UEC fundraising to support the Ukrainian Cycling Federation and its athletes:
- Account name: Union Européenne de Cyclisme
- Account number: 0269-00920065.70D
- IBAN: CH110026926992006570D
- Currency: EUR
- Reference: UEC Solidarity & Unity Aid for Ukrainian Cycling
- BIC (SWIFT): UBSWCHZH80A
