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06/11 05:07 CDT World ski president Eliasch loses election by one vote and
alleges IOC influence
World ski president Eliasch loses election by one vote and alleges IOC influence
By GRAHAM DUNBAR
AP Sports Writer
GENEVA (AP) --- 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 goods 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.
In his concession speech, Eliasch aimed an allegation at the Olympic body and
urged FIS to protect its independence before congratulating Ospelt.
"The IOC tried to influence the outcome of today's vote. Against this we must
stay firm," Eliasch said.
He also stood in the IOC presidential election won by Kirsty Coventry 15 months
ago.
The FIS congress in the Serbian capital Belgrade started with shows of power by
75 member federations; the votes hinted at problems ahead for Eliasch.
The agenda was changed on an 88% vote to bring the presidential election
forward as the first item of business. The weighted voting used by FIS gives
two or three votes to established ski nations instead of a one-member-one-vote
system by other federations such as soccer body FIFA.
Then there was a 60% vote to use paper ballots instead of electronic voting,
which seemed to reflect some mistrust in the FIS administration.
The 64-year-old Eliasch served as FIS president for five years that were marked
by constant sparring with ski nations including Austria and Switzerland over
issues such as his management style and spending of the ski body's cash
reserves.
A dual citizen of Sweden and Britain, Eliasch was not supported by either of
those national federations to stand for re-election. He complied with FIS rules
by getting a passport and nomination from the country of Georgia.
The new president FIS rules mean Ospelt becomes president officially one day after the election, leaving Eliasch to oversee the rest of the congress business of what was now his last day in office. "It's been a great privilege to serve you," said the outgoing president, who had said the election would be a win-win as he could "get my life back" if he lost. "Either way I am very happy." Ospelt, who has been a member of the Eliasch-chaired FIS council, said he would start his new job with "great joy and humility." "I will be the president for all of you. Let's be united," he said. Ospelt does not immediately become an IOC member, though he would probably be invited to join as head of the sports body that oversees about half of the medal events at each Winter Olympics. ___ AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing
The new president FIS rules mean Ospelt becomes president officially one day after the election, leaving Eliasch to oversee the rest of the congress business of what was now his last day in office. "It's been a great privilege to serve you," said the outgoing president, who had said the election would be a win-win as he could "get my life back" if he lost. "Either way I am very happy." Ospelt, who has been a member of the Eliasch-chaired FIS council, said he would start his new job with "great joy and humility." "I will be the president for all of you. Let's be united," he said. Ospelt does not immediately become an IOC member, though he would probably be invited to join as head of the sports body that oversees about half of the medal events at each Winter Olympics. ___ AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing
