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The process of transferring FAI's operations from Paris to Lausanne is nearing completion. There are numerous legal, contractual and financial issues to resolve when such a move takes place, but overall the transfer has gone very smoothly. We have been greatly assisted by the local authorities in Lausanne, who have an active policy of encouraging international organisations to settle here. They have helped ensure that all the unavoidable bureaucratic procedures were as painless as possible. Our "house-warming" reception on 21 January was distinguished by the presence of Bertrand Piccard, the latest adventurer in a famous family of record breakers, who as I write is making final preparations for another round-the-world attempt in the Breitling Orbiter III balloon. The positive effects of being in an international environment with numerous other international federations are already making themselves felt. We have already learned much of value from contacts with our colleagues in the Fencing, Archery and Rowing federations particularly, and next week sees one of the regular meetings between the executive directors of the Lausanne-based federations, at which cost-saving measures such as joint ordering of office supplies will be discussed. Despite the scandals currently enveloping the International Olympic Committee, it is also a great advantage for us to be collocated with the Olympic movement, which offers assistance to recognised international federations and brings to Lausanne journalists, potential sponsors and media moguls. These people are in a good position to help FAI develop its future TV products - particularly the World Air Games. Next week, we shall be running a FAI Media Workshop at the Olympic Museum, at which all Air Sport Commissions will be represented. This is a decisive step towards harnessing the energy of all in FAI to move clearly into the digital TV age. 1999 will be an exciting year for us all. The new Lausanne team is full of enthusiasm and energy to meet these new challenges. This week, the FAI President arrives here to attend the Olympic Congress on prevention of doping, and to meet with his FAI Bureau colleagues to define the programme for the next year. As always, the World Air Games will be high on the agenda, but in addition there will be discussion on items as wide ranging as Airspace Categorisation, Environmental Protection, Women in FAI, and cooperation with other international aviation organisations such as IAOPA. The century will end with another busy year.
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