The IUF hasn't yet sanctioned an event in Europe. However, we are
hoping to hold UNICON VIII (international UNIcycling CONvention) in
Germany in 1996. Of the last seven UNICONs, three have been held in
an English speaking locale (US), two in a French speaking locale
(Quebec, CA), one in a Spanish speaking locale (Puerto Rico) and one
in a Japanese speaking locale (Tokyo, Japan). The only other
convention we have sanctioned was "The Great Wall of China Unicycle
Marathon", north of Beijing at the Great Wall in 1993, which helped
promote the Chinese Unicycling Association (CUA).
Many of the above events have been held in North America, because that
is where the local unicycling organizations willing to sponsor them
have been. We would certainly hold a UNICON in the United Kingdom, if
a unicycling club(s) or organization there were willing to sponsor it.
Until very recently, over half of the Executive Board have been
located outside the US, including a president (10 yr. in Japan) and
vice-president (~7 yr. in Japan), director (~5 yr. in UK), director (~7
yr. in Denmark) and perhaps others I can't recall right this moment.
The only position which has always been held by someone in North
America is secretary-treasurer.
We are definitely not as international as we would like to be. Please
send us any suggestions for becoming more international. You can be
sure that we will listen and take action.
Concerning your question of why you haven't heard of the IUF: Let's
hold a UNICON or two in the UK, and a few in Europe and perhaps you
won't be concerned by that question any longer. BTW, I'd like to see
a UNICON in Australia and Africa (maybe Egypt?) too.
I hope this answers your question.
Sincerely,
Ken Fuchs
IUF Secretary-Treasurer
<kfuchs@winternet.com>