Another Swede Aims to Be Next President of FIS

24th March 2021

Last modified on May 12th, 2021

The Swedish Olympic Committee President, Mats Årjes, has put his hat in the ring for the top job. His fellow Swede, the billionaire Johan Eliasch, was nominated by GB Snowsport last year. The Swiss Ski President, Urs Lehmann, is also in the contest.

Årjes led the Swedish Ski Association for a decade until 2018 and played a leading role in the unsuccessful bid for Stockholm to host the 2026 Winter Olympics.

He is also a vice-president of the International Ski Federation, FIS.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to stand for this prestigious position at such an important time for our sport,” said Årjes.

“Ski and snowboard sport has been my passion all my life and I am dedicated to ensuring it reaches its full potential.”

The election is due to be held in June and will chose a successor to Gian-Franco Kasper, who has been President of the FIS for 23 years.

The British ski administrator, Sarah Lewis, was expected to stand but was suddenly removed from the organisation in October.

She had been FIS Secretary General for 20 years and we reported on her departure at the time.