FIS Congress In Full Swing In Costa Navarino

The FIS Congress in Costa Navarino, Greece has been in full swing since Sunday 13th May. More than 1’100 persons are participating at the 51st edition of the FIS Congress focusing on the development of the FIS disciplines and steering the direction of the International Ski Federation to achieve success in a modern innovative ways now and into the future.

At the conclusion of the first full day of Technical Committee Meetings on Monday 14th May, delegates were invited to the Welcome Evening and official opening on the invitation of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games Organising Committee.

Located nearby to Olympia where the modern Olympic Games were founded, the Welcome Evening recognised China as host of the next edition of the Winter Games in 2022. Participants were treated to a wide variety of food that included traditional Greek dishes and Chinese cuisine to celebrate the host of the evening. Words of welcome were given by FIS President Gian Franco Kasper who was joined on stage by Beijing 2022 Sport Director Tong Lixin, Chinese Ski Association Vice President Steve Dong Yang, Greek National Olympic Committee President Spyros Capralos, and President of the Hellenic Winter Sports Association Dimosthenis Gyrousis.

Under the Costa Navarino sunset, it was a unique opportunity for the participants coming from more than 80 different nations, to gather in one place and spend some time with friends in the entire FIS family, many of whom only meet up every two years.

Amidst a week of approximately 100 meetings of the Council and Committees, Thursday,17th May will feature an excursion to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games which is sure to be a memorable day for the FIS delegates. The evening will see the much anticipated election and announcement of the FIS World Championship Organisers 2022/23.

On Friday, 18th May the FIS Congress will take place, shaping the future direction of skiing and snowboarding. The gathering will include the election of the FIS President and the sixteen members of the FIS Council for the next two-year period from 2018-2020. A meeting of the newly elected Council will follow the Congress and round up the Congress week.