Johan Eliasch, president of the Worldwide Ski Federation (FIS), has formally introduced his candidacy for the presidency of the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC). Since taking cost of FIS in June 2021, Eliasch has led the group by a interval of transformation. On July 24, 2024, he additionally earned a spot as a member of the IOC. In a latest letter to IOC members, Eliasch outlined his imaginative and prescient for the way forward for the group and addressed the challenges forward.
A Transformative Management at FIS
Eliasch’s management at FIS has pushed important reforms geared toward modernizing winter sports activities, though not with out controversy. His progressive method reshaped the facility dynamics inside FIS, and he launched initiatives designed to fulfill the evolving wants of athletes and the broader sports activities neighborhood.
A Name for Robust Management
In his candidacy letter, Eliasch emphasised the significance of robust, skilled management to information the IOC by turbulent geopolitical and industrial landscapes. He highlighted the challenges going through the Olympic model, akin to shifting viewers habits and the necessity for modern sponsorship and media methods.
“The following IOC president will need to have severe and confirmed diplomatic capabilities, glorious deal-making and industrial abilities and a deep understanding of the fast adjustments in know-how and client conduct,” Eliasch wrote. He additionally harassed the significance of aligning with trendy attitudes on range, equality and sustainability, which he believes are important values for the IOC to prioritize.
Constructing on a Legacy
Eliasch praised present IOC President Thomas Bach for his management, acknowledging the stable basis constructed beneath Bach’s tenure. Nonetheless, Eliasch warned towards complacency, stating, “Nice success has set expectations larger than ever.” He pointed to international instability and fast technological developments as key areas the place the following IOC president should stay proactive and adaptable.
A Lifelong Dedication to Sport
All through his profession, Eliasch has actively engaged within the sports activities world. From 1995 to 2021, he served because the CEO of HEAD, a world sporting items firm. Beneath his management, the model achieved notable success in each alpine snowboarding and tennis. At FIS, Eliasch continued to innovate by launching the Impression Programme, which focuses on sustainability and establishing the Athletes’ Well being Unit to handle athletes’ bodily and psychological well-being.
Environmental Advocacy
Past his work in sports activities, Eliasch additionally champions environmental causes. He co-founded Cool Earth, a charity devoted to conserving rainforests, and commonly advises world leaders on local weather motion. His dedication to sustainability shines by in his advocacy efforts.
What’s Subsequent for FIS?
If elected as IOC president, Eliasch should step down from his function as president of FIS, prompting the necessity to elect a brand new chief. This state of affairs raises questions on the way forward for FIS and whether or not the progressive adjustments Eliasch initiated will proceed beneath new management.
A World Highlight on Eliasch’s Candidacy
Because the IOC election approaches, Eliasch’s candidacy will generate important dialogue inside the international sports activities neighborhood. His mixture of enterprise experience, environmental advocacy, and sports activities management makes him a formidable contender for the presidency of the world’s most prestigious sporting group.
Wanting Forward
Together with his in depth expertise and clear imaginative and prescient for the long run, athletes, directors, and followers alike will carefully comply with Eliasch’s marketing campaign for the IOC presidency.
Beneath is the letter submitted to the IOC members saying his candidacy.
