FIS President Johan Eliasch faces strong re-election challenge from winter sports heartlands

Summary

Johan Eliasch, president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), faces a tough re-election vote in Belgrade, Serbia, against strong opposition from Alpine, Nordic, and North American winter sport communities. Critics cite his robust management style and concerns over FIS financial stability. Top skiers Mikaela Shiffrin and Marco Odermatt have called for change. His election rival is lawyer Alexander Ospelt from Liechtenstein. The election is notable because it's rare for a sitting president to be challenged after just one term, especially one who has been accepted as an IOC member.