International_Roller_Sports_Federation

The International Roller Sports Federation or Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS) is the world governing body for roller sports, including rink hockey, inline hockey, speed skating and artistic roller skating. It was established in April 1924 in Montreux, Switzerland by two Swiss sportsmen, Fred Renkewitz and Otto Myer, who had close connections to the International Olympic Committee.

The FIRS gathers almost 100 national federations, including countries from every continent and they are affiliated with the International Skating Union.

The FIRS aims to foster the Roller Sports movement and participation on a global scale. Its areas of responsibility are as follows:

1. Administration and Regulations
2. Organizing international competitions
3. Developing the movement worldwide
4. Promoting

The authority of FIRS is recognized by the following organizations:

• International Olympic Committee (IOC)
• General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF)
• International World Games Association (IWGA)
• Pan American Sports Organization (PASO)

FIRS recognizes the following continental confederations:

• Africa - African Confederation of Sports of Roller Skating (ACSRS)
• Europe - Confédération Européenne de Roller Skating (CERS)
• Asia - Confederation of Asia Roller Sports (CARS)
• Oceania - Oceania Confederation of Roller Sports (OCRS)
• The Americas - Confederación Panamericana de Roller Sports (CPRS)

Each continental confederation comprises or recognizes, in turn, various national governing bodies and associations.

Skating is considered to be one of the most complete physical exercises that exist and enjoys huge popularity on a world level. According to the latest estimations, there are more than 40 million habitual users of recreational skates throughout the world.

See also

• International Roller Sports Federation - Inline

External links

• FIRS web site