GENEVA — The head of the world’s ski federation was removed from power Thursday in an extremely close election that ended with accusations of interference from Olympic officials.
Johan Eliasch, the billionaire who owns Head sports equipment company, was defeated 65-64 by Alexander Ospelt, an attorney from Liechtenstein who will now lead the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) for the next four years.
The election campaign was supported by major skiing countries in Europe and North America, with backing from elite athletes including Mikaela Shiffrin.
Following his defeat, Eliasch will also forfeit his position on the International Olympic Committee, considered among the most prestigious organizations in global athletics.
During his speech accepting the loss, Eliasch made pointed accusations against Olympic leadership while encouraging FIS to maintain its autonomy before offering congratulations to Ospelt.
“The IOC tried to influence the outcome of today’s vote. Against this we must stay firm,” Eliasch said.
Eliasch had previously competed for IOC leadership in an election won by Kirsty Coventry 15 months earlier.
The FIS gathering in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, began with demonstrations of authority from 75 member organizations, with early voting patterns suggesting difficulties for Eliasch’s re-election bid.
Members voted 88% to modify the schedule and move the presidential vote to the opening business item. FIS operates under a weighted voting structure that grants two or three votes to prominent skiing nations, unlike the equal voting system used by organizations such as soccer’s FIFA.
A subsequent 60% vote chose paper ballots over electronic voting, appearing to show skepticism toward the FIS leadership structure.
The 64-year-old Eliasch led FIS for five years characterized by ongoing disputes with skiing powerhouses including Austria and Switzerland regarding his leadership approach and use of the organization’s financial reserves.
Holding citizenship in both Sweden and Britain, Eliasch received support from neither nation’s federation for his re-election attempt. Following FIS regulations, he obtained a passport and endorsement from Georgia.
Under FIS procedures, Ospelt officially assumes the presidency one day following the election, allowing Eliasch to complete the remaining congress duties on his final day as leader.
“It’s been a great privilege to serve you,” the departing president stated, having previously described the election as beneficial regardless of outcome since he could “get my life back” with a loss. “Either way I am very happy.”
Ospelt, who served on the FIS council under Eliasch’s leadership, expressed his readiness to begin his new role with “great joy and humility.”
“I will be the president for all of you. Let’s be united,” he said.
While Ospelt doesn’t automatically receive IOC membership, he would likely be invited to join as leader of the organization that manages approximately half the medal competitions at Winter Olympics.
