FIS Presidential Election in Belgrade: Only Eliasch and Ospelt Remain in the Race

Three Withdrawals Within a Few Weeks

The British-Swedish entrepreneur Eliasch, nominated by Georgia, has been the incumbent since 2021 and is highly controversial. In recent years, national federations as well as athletes' representatives have repeatedly publicly criticized his stewardship, including his communication, reforms of the competition structures, and the federation's financial transparency. His nomination by Georgia is an unusual circumstance, as the country itself is not among the traditionally influential ski nations in the world federation.

The Liechtensteiner Ospelt is favored, among others, by Ski Austria (ÖSV) and brings experience from national federation work. Liechtenstein, as a small Alpine country, is not a heavyweight in skiing, but with the support of a federation as steeped in tradition as the ÖSV, Ospelt can count on considerable backing within the European federation network. Among other things, he sets his program in contrast to Eliasch's term in office.

Council Election as the Second Turning Point

Falkenberg, Dexter, and Gosling are no longer running for the presidency, but according to the FIS website, they are candidates for the 18-member FIS Council, also to be elected on Thursday. The council, which alongside the president forms the most important body of the world federation, decides on key sports-political and financial matters. With the withdrawn candidates' bids for the council, the influence of this group of individuals on the future line of the federation is preserved, at least in part.

On Thursday at the FIS Congress in Belgrade, only Johan Eliasch and Alexander Ospelt will therefore be running. The election is considered direction-setting: should Eliasch be confirmed, the federation would continue on its current course; with a victory by Ospelt, on the other hand, a noticeable break in federation policy would be likely, supported by the federations that have rallied behind the Liechtensteiner. Observers expect a close vote.