Paris (AFP)
Former Swiss skier Urs Lehmann, world downhill champion in 1993 and current president of the Swiss Ski Federation, declared on Tuesday his candidacy for the presidency of the International Ski Federation (FIS), led by Switzerland for 69 years. .
"It is both a great honor and an obligation for me to present myself to the succession of Gian Franco Kasper. It is important that the FIS, as an international umbrella organization, ensures continuity while bringing new visions and ideas for the post-Kasper era. I feel ready to take up this challenge, "said Lehmann (51), quoted in a statement from his federation.
The FIS, which oversees all snow disciplines (alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, freestyle skiing and snowboarding ...) apart from biathlon, has been chaired by the Swiss Gian Franco Kasper (76 years old) since 1998. Previously, his compatriot Marc Hodler had led the proceeding since 1951.
Mr. Kasper, who is used to polemical comments, particularly on global warming, announced in November that he would not stand for a new term in 2020.
The election for the president was due to take place in May in Pattaya (Thailand) during the Congress, which was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. FIS hopes to reschedule the rally "in the fall".
The other declared candidate is for the moment the Swedish businessman Johan Eliasch, CEO of the important Austrian equipment manufacturer Head, presented by the British federation.
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