The hand-crafted sled was presented to Martin Viessmann, left, by FIL President Josef Fendt, right, during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games ©FIL

The International Luge Federation (FIL) has marked the 25th anniversary of its partnership with Viessman by awarding the Group’s chief executive with a hand-crafted sled during the Winter Olympic Games here.

The sled, made by Andreas Dengler of the Berchtesgaden sled school in Germany, was presented to Martin Viessmann by FIL President Josef Fendt.

Dengler’s design was based on a bronze sculpture given to Fendt by the late former International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch.

"There has never been such a long-standing partnership in international sport as that between Viessmann and the FIL," Fendt said.

The German added that the FIL was proud to have such a respected company - one of the world’s leading manufacturers of heating, industrial and cooling systems - as an ally for such a long time.

Viessmann mentioned in his acknowledgement that sponsorship by his company started with luge.

Viessmann and the International Luge Federation have been in partnership together since 1993 ©Getty Images
Viessmann and the International Luge Federation have been in partnership together since 1993 ©Getty Images

He also emphasised the importance of Fendt, the FIL and the Berchtesgaden-based marketing company RGS, considered the world governing body’s most important partner in the area of sponsorship and led by Rudi Grösswang.

Ever since the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Viessmann has attended the Games in person.

He was accompanied here by his wife Anette and daughter Katharina.

Viessmann, which is based in Allendorf in the North Hesse region of Germany, is the primary and title sponsor of the FIL World Cup.

It employs 12,000 people worldwide and generates a turnover of €2.25 billion (£2 billion/$2.75 billion).

A total of 54 per cent of its turnover comes from overseas.