FIS Council Puts Safety and Athlete Welfare at the Forefront in Zurich
Athlete Safety Takes Center Stage
During its meeting Wednesday in Zurich, the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS) Council placed athlete safety at the heart of its agenda. The Council outlined new steps to further protect competitors across all snow sports.
Leaders emphasized the need for clear and consistent safety guidelines for all National Ski Associations. The framework will include:
- Homologation of training slopes to guarantee safe and appropriate conditions.
- Regulation of safety equipment standards and protocols at every level.
- Expanded education and awareness programs to strengthen responsibility around safety throughout the sport.
The Council committed to enhancing structures and protocols that support its mission of safeguarding athletes’ health and welfare.
“This is our number one priority. There is nothing that comes even close to it,” FIS President Johan Eliasch said. “The ecosystem around elite sports is a complex one, dependent on many factors and stakeholders, but if there is one organization that can lead the way when it comes to putting safety first, this is FIS. It is our duty to do so.”
Eligibility Policy for Competitions Approved
The Council also adopted a new science-based eligibility policy for men’s and women’s competitions, following consultations with medical and scientific experts.
The policy determines eligibility based on the presence or absence of the SRY gene, located on the Y chromosome. Only athletes who are SRY-negative may compete in women’s competitions.
“This policy is the cornerstone of our commitment to protect women’s sport, and we are convinced that there is only one fair and transparent way to do that: by relying on science and biological facts,” Eliasch said.
With the policy approved, FIS will now work with National Ski Associations and other stakeholders to establish an implementation plan.
Prize Money Discussions Continue
The Council also returned to the topic of athlete compensation. Earlier this year, FIS approved a prize money increase of up to 20 percent for all World Cup events—10 percent guaranteed by FIS and an additional 10 percent on a voluntary basis from Local Organizing Committees.
On Wednesday, members explored additional strategies to sustainably raise prize money in the future. Several options were presented, and a final decision is expected at the next FIS Council meeting on Oct. 21.
This article is based on information provided by FIS-ski.com.
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