FIS President Eliasch Reflects on IOC Presidential Bid and Future of Winter Sports

Johan Eliasch is the FIS president and IOC member. Photo: Courtesy of IOC

Johan Eliasch Embraces IOC Candidacy and Pushes for Climate Action as Coventry Prepares to Lead

Eliasch – the current president of the International Ski Federation (FIS) and a recently elected member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) – ran for IOC president in an election won by Kirsty Coventry, an Olympic swimming champion from Zimbabwe. Despite the outcome, Eliasch believes that his candidacy and presence at the recent IOC Session in Greece as the only candidate representing a winter sports federation helped spark further dialogue about climate change issues within the powerful sports body. The future IOC President Coventry also shared her thoughts about dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump as the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics approach.

Coventry Makes History

Eliasch may have failed in his bid to become president of the International Olympic Committee, but he stated that his candidacy proved highly valuable and enlightening. 

The FIS leader said he achieved multiple objectives as IOC members overwhelmingly voted for Coventry as the new president at the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, on March 20. The 41-year-old Olympic swimmer from Zimbabwe received 49 out of a potential 97 votes, claiming victory with a first-round majority in a secret ballot election.

Coventry will soon become the tenth IOC president and the first woman to lead the world’s most influential sports-governing body. 

“I am 100 percent behind her. The membership has spoken,” Eliasch said. “We have the right person in the right position, and I’m sure she will make a great president. It was a very clear result. She deserved the victory.”

When asked if Coventry’s first-round triumph was unexpected, Eliasch responded, “It was a surprise, but it shows the faith that the membership has in her ability to lead the organization.

“I think it’s always important to have the right person in the right place, and I’m very happy that it is a woman,” he said, when asked if it was important to elect the first female president. “I hope she will be very successful as president, and I will help her in any way that I can.”  

Click the images to enlarge

A First for Women and Africa

A five-time Olympian in swimming from Zimbabwe, Coventry served her country as Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture. She has been an IOC member since 2013 and is the former chair of the IOC Athletes Commission. The seven-time Olympic medalist—including two golds in the backstroke—competed as an NCAA student-athlete at Auburn University.

At 41, Coventry will be the second youngest IOC president in the organization’s 129-year history. The president-elect will officially take over on June 24, when President Thomas Bach steps down after 12 years at the organization’s helm.

Coventry will be the first African to assume the IOC presidency. She is also the most decorated Olympian from Africa.

With the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games now less than ten months away, Ski Racing Media asked Eliasch if he has invited the next IOC president skiing yet. The ski federation boss smiled: “No, not yet, but that is something we have to work on.”

An Invaluable Experience for a Rookie IOC Member

Eliasch outlined his primary objectives and what he ultimately accomplished through his IOC presidential candidacy. He pursued a position often considered the most powerful job in global sports. Making the task even more daunting, the experienced sports and business leader only joined the IOC in July 2024.

“There is so much good that has come out of this campaign. I had two objectives going into it— of course, to win the election, but also to contribute to the movement and grow with the sport,” Eliasch said, as one of seven candidates who sought the position. “I definitely succeeded with the latter, and I’m happy about that.”

The 63-year-old called his participation in the 144th IOC Session in the Greek coastal resort—attended by 106 IOC members and other influential sport leaders—an invaluable learning experience.

“It was a crash course learning and getting to know all of the membership.  That was great,” Eliasch said. “It was a wonderful experience learning a lot more about the movement and how incredibly strong our movement is. 

“We are the most successful movement in the history of humankind,” he said, with great confidence.

Eliasch Pushes Climate Action Within the IOC

Eliasch believes his candidacy and presence at the IOC gathering in Greece—where he shared his ideals and sustainable goals addressing climate change—helped raise awareness about challenging threats to skiing and winter sports.

“This has given winter sport the opportunity to have a stronger voice in the movement than usual, addressing very important topics on the agenda to make sure that we stay ahead of the curve,” he said. “Many good ideas have come out of this.

“This is important because we have challenges with climate change, extreme weather, and which locations to go to. I think what has come into focus here is the importance of sustainability, particularly for the younger generation, but it is also something that everyone will scrutinize.

“Tackling climate change remains a top priority.  It threatens not just the future of winter sports, but our global way of life. The Olympic Movement must lead by example, turning values into action and inspiring more sustainable choices throughout society.”

Future Cooperation with Coventry

Gian Franco Kasper maintained a fruitful working relationship with Bach during his tenure as FIS president. During their cooperation, numerous skiing and snowboarding events entered the Olympic program. Eliasch aims to develop a similar bond with Coventry.

“The FIS has long enjoyed a strong and constructive relationship with the IOC, as the largest and most influential winter sports federation,” Eliasch said. “We recognize the importance of continuing that tradition under the leadership of President-elect Coventry.

“Her deep Olympic experience and commitment to athlete-focused governance offer a great foundation for collaboration. We look forward to building a close, productive partnership with her to ensure that the Olympic Movement continues to thrive and that snow sports maintain a central and dynamic role within it.

“By working together, we can promote innovation, increase global engagement, and create new opportunities for athletes, fans, and future generations,” he said.

Coventry Confronts Key Olympic Challenges

Before the Olympic swimmer could even catch her breath after the historic triumph, Coventry faced questions from international media about immediate challenges and divisive issues surrounding the Olympic Games and world sport.

Topics included doping in sports, dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, and consideration of permitting Russian and Belarusian athletes back into Olympic competition.

“As an Olympian and former athlete, when it comes to anti-doping,  it’s incredibly important that our athletes and entire movement be held to the same standards,” the IOC president-elect said. “I won’t ever waver from that, but we may have a bit of work to do to make sure that it’s actually put into place.”

Future Olympic Relations with Donald Trump

Coventry said she feels prepared to work with the U.S. president as the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games approach in three years. 

“In terms of when it comes to the USA and L.A., I have been dealing with, let’s say, difficult men in high positions since I was 20 years old,” she said. “First and foremost, what I have learned is that communication will be the key. That will happen early on. It is my firm belief that President Trump loves sports.

“He will want these Games to be significant and be a success.”

She asserted, “We’ll not waver from our values of solidarity and ensuring every athlete that qualifies for the Olympic Games the possibility to attend the Olympic Games and be safe during the Olympic Games.”

Russian and Belarusian Athletes Remain in Limbo

Coventry must also navigate political pressure about potentially reinstating Russian athletes for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games. Their exclusion from Olympic competition dates back to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war.

“I would like to set up a task force that tries to define policies and guiding frameworks that could be used to make decisions during a conflict,” she stated. “I think you have to take every situation into account.”

Pressed about their status for the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, Coventry would not elaborate. “We will discuss that with the task force,” she said.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Winter Sports and the IOC

Eliasch sees an opportunity for snow sports to take a stronger role within the Olympic Movement as the world adapts to climate realities, shifting audiences, and evolving expectations. He believes winter sport holds powerful storytelling potential that can resonate with younger generations, especially when paired with innovation and a clear commitment to sustainability.

He remains focused on strengthening winter sports’ place within the Olympic agenda by encouraging global engagement, advocating for sustainable practices, and deepening collaboration across federations. Eliasch’s work is far from over. He intends to promote a future where snow sports are thriving, relevant, and central to the Olympic vision.

Follow Brian on Instagram – brian.pinelli