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The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) is the governing body of Grand Prix motorcycle racing. It represents 90 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions.
There are five motorcycle-racing disciplines that FIM covers, encompassing 34 world championships and prizes: road racing, motocross, trial, enduro, and track racing. FIM is also involved in many non-racing activities that promote the sport, its safety, and support relevant public policy.
History
The FIM was born from the Fédération Internationale des Clubs Motocyclistes (FICM), which itself was founded in Paris, France on December 21, 1904. In 1906, the FICM was dissolved, but reborn in 1912 with the headquarters now located in England. The Six Days Reliability Trial was held the next year, the first international event held by the new incarnation.
The name was changed to the Fédération Internationale Motocycliste (FIM) in 1949, the same year that also saw the first race of the famed Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix. The headquarters were transferred to Geneva, Switzerland in 1959.
1994 saw the headquarters relocated once again, this time to Mies, Switzerland, and occupy its own building for the first time, shaped like a stylized motorcycle. The name was changed again in 1998 to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) at the congress in Cape Town, South Africa. The same year, the FIM was given provisional status of recognition by the International Olympic Committee, and gained full status in 2000 at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
2004 marks the centenary and celebrations are due to be held at the congress in Paris in October.
External links
- Fédération Internationale du Motocycle (http://www.fim.ch)