The controversial President Johan Eliasch was confirmed in office for another four years at the Congress of the International Ski Federation (FIS).
The 60-year-old Swedish-British businessman, owner of the ski manufacturer Head, received 70 yes votes in the election in Milan – a miserable but not unexpected result.
After Eliasch’s one-year tenure so far, the FIS is deeply divided. The world association comprises 137 national associations, 126 of which were entitled to vote – 56 now expressed their rejection by abstaining.
The delegation of the German Ski Association (DSV), for example, even left the meeting room with some others before the vote in protest against Eliasch. There was no opposing candidate.
DSV is examining legal steps
“An election in which the delegates only had one option to cast a valid vote, namely to vote yes, does not correspond to our understanding of the law and is simply a farce,” said DSV board member Stefan Schwarzbach of the “Sportschau”: “As announced in advance, we are now having the entire process checked and we reserve the right to take legal action.”
Eliasch wants to reform the FIS, but his approach has triggered heavy criticism.
Among other things, he is aiming for central marketing. However, the rights for World Cup competitions are usually held by the national federations, some of which cede them to brokers in order to generate secure income.
The DSV, for example, has passed on its TV rights to the agency Infront.
Small associations vote for Johan Eliasch
The obvious quarrels don’t seem to impress Eliasch – even if he started to talk about it.
“Change is never easy,” he said after his re-election, but also emphasized: “We’re all allowed to have our opinions, but we have to be strong together to reach the next level.”
Small national associations in particular, who hope to get more money from his reform plans, voted for Eliasch.
In the election of the 18 members of the FIS Council, Eliasch brought some representatives of small nations through, also thanks to a new quota system, but also received a first setback. The well-disposed American Dexter Paine was not re-elected.
DSV President Franz Steinle is still represented on the committee. The lawyer and Eliasch critic received 93 votes.