Eliasch seeks re-election as FIS president amid athlete calls for change
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 11, 2026, 9:34 AM
Last updated Jun 11, 2026
Johan Eliasch is up for re-election as president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) on June 10 in Belgrade. Facing criticism from top athletes like Mikaela Shiffrin and Marco Odermatt, who advocate for a shift in leadership, Eliasch contends that most voting nations support his initiatives. His opponent, Alexander Ospelt, emphasizes a need for transparency and improved financial planning. Critics and some national federations have raised concerns about the financial direction under Eliasch's management, highlighting substantial cash reserve declines and operating cost increases. Ospelt seeks to foster a more inclusive approach to the sport, asserting that success should not be limited to a few dominant nations.
- •Eliasch faces election challenges from Ospelt and athlete discontent
- •Mikaela Shiffrin expresses concerns over FIS's financial direction
- •Critics accuse Eliasch of lack of transparency in leadership
- •Ospelt promotes a more inclusive vision for winter sports
- •Election takes place on June 10 in Belgrade.
- 10:40 AMYahoo Sports — Controversial Eliasch ousted as FIS president by one vote
- 9:34 AMYahoo Sports — World ski president Eliasch loses election by one vote and alleges IOC influence
- 5:21 AMYahoo Sports — World skiing president Eliasch faces re-election vote amid Shiffrin, Odermatt calls for change
"World ski federation leader Johan Eliasch was ousted in a tight presidential election on Thursday after a campaign led by the sport’s heartland nations in Europe and North America that was backed by top skiers including Mikaela Shiffrin. The billionaire owner of the Head sports good business lost a 65-64 vote to Alexander Ospelt, a lawyer from Liechtenstein who got a four-year term to lead the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). Eliasch also loses his membership of the International Olympic Committee, one of the most exclusive clubs in world sports.
"It's rare in Olympic sports politics for a sitting president to be challenged in an election after just one full term in office. Rarer still when that leader also has been accepted as a member into the International Olympic Committee. Johan Eliasch faces a re-election vote Thursday to stay president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) against strong opposition from the Alpine, Nordic and north American heartlands of winter sport.
"Controversial Johan Eliasch was ousted after five years as president of the governing ski and snowboard federation FIS by one vote in a dramatic election on Thursday. The British-Swedish billionaire and owner of ski company Head was beaten 65-64 by opposing candidate Alexander Ospelt of Liechtenstein at the FIS congress in Belgrade for a four-year term.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 11, 2026, 10:40 AMControversial Eliasch ousted as FIS president by one vote
Controversial Johan Eliasch was ousted after five years as president of the governing ski and snowboard federation FIS by one vote in a dramatic election on Thursday. The British-Swedish billionaire and owner of ski company Head was beaten 65-64 by opposing candidate Alexander Ospelt of Liechtenstein at the FIS congress in Belgrade for a four-year term.
- Yahoo SportsJun 11, 2026, 9:34 AMWorld ski president Eliasch loses election by one vote and alleges IOC influence
World ski federation leader Johan Eliasch was ousted in a tight presidential election on Thursday after a campaign led by the sport’s heartland nations in Europe and North America that was backed by top skiers including Mikaela Shiffrin. The billionaire owner of the Head sports good business lost a 65-64 vote to Alexander Ospelt, a lawyer from Liechtenstein who got a four-year term to lead the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). Eliasch also loses his membership of the International Olympic Committee, one of the most exclusive clubs in world sports.
- Yahoo SportsJun 10, 2026, 5:21 AMWorld skiing president Eliasch faces re-election vote amid Shiffrin, Odermatt calls for change
It's rare in Olympic sports politics for a sitting president to be challenged in an election after just one full term in office. Rarer still when that leader also has been accepted as a member into the International Olympic Committee. Johan Eliasch faces a re-election vote Thursday to stay president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) against strong opposition from the Alpine, Nordic and north American heartlands of winter sport.
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