2015 FAI Annual Report

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FAI ANNUAL REPORT–2015 FAI ANNUAL REPORT–2015 2 3
President’s
Foreword
2015 was a milestone year for our Federation. The FAI
World Air Games Dubai 2015, organised by our friends
from the Emirates Aerosports Federation in December,
was a resounding success. They will mark the history of
FAI and will stay in our memories as a true celebration
of air sports.
These were the record Games: 951 athletes competed
in 40 medal events of 11 air sports at no less than six
different venues in the sunny and friendly city of Dubai.
From the small model aircraft to the imposing airships, the
range of competitions was such that the spectators could
discover and enjoy the full extent of air sports–without
mentioning the impressive air shows and demonstration
flights which also entertained the crowds.
I cannot recount here all the fond memoriesthat I have of
the event, for they are too many. However I will mention
two that particularly stand out for me: the impressive
opening ceremony in the presence of all the athletes and
officials. And as a balloon pilot, I will always remember
the extraordinary vision of the hot air balloons flying over
the skyscrapers of the city. What a beautiful spectacle,
and what a unique opportunity to share our passion with
the whole population of Dubai!
I note that we have always kept in mind FAI’s mission to
promote air sports internationally. The efforts to reach out
to the world that we put in, together with the organiser, in
terms of competition format and communication, paidback.
Themedia and public response was beyond expectations
and shows that wemust continue in this direction to get the
promotion and attention for our events that they deserve.
Aside from the competitions, I was especially delighted by
the universal dimension of the event. TheseGameswere for
everyone, uniting cultures, nationalities and backgrounds.
They built bridges between the athletes of the different
sports, and created a real sense of air sports community
which can only develop a positive dynamic for the future.
All in all, I amproud of what we achieved with the Games.
Since the competition was awarded to the Emirates
Aerosports Federation in 2014, the whole FAI community
got into action to collaborate closely with the Organising
Committee . I want to salute the work accomplished by the
Host, the Officials, the Commissions, the Members, the
HeadOffice and all the volunteerswho spent a tremendous
amount of energy and time to make the competition
happen. The challenges were great, as was the complexity
in terms of logistics, but together we pulled it off. Thank
you for your hard work.
I am also grateful to our hosts for their hospitality and
generosity. TheOrganisingCommittee, under the leadership
of FAI World Air Games President H.E. SaeedMohammed
Harib, Vice President H.E. Nasser Hmouda Al Neyady and
Director H.E. Yousif Hassan Al Hammadi, made sure that
everything took place in the best possible conditions.
With the success of the Dubai event, we can now look
optimistically at the future of the FAI World Air Games, our
flagship event. I already look forward to the next edition!
About FAI
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale,
FAI–TheWorld Air Sports Federation, was founded
in 1905. It is a non-governmental and non-profit
making international organisation recognised by
the IOCwith the basic aimof furthering aeronautical
and astronautical activities worldwide, ratifying
internationalrecordsandcoordinatingtheorganisation
of international competitions. After over a century
of steady growth, FAI is now an organisation of
more than 100member countries, forming a strong
network linking all those who participate in air
sports worldwide.
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