FIS Welcomes Delegation To Plan A New Era Of Snowsports In China

FIS President Johan Eliasch, Secretary General Michel Vion and Deputy Secretary General Niklas Carlsson were delighted to welcome a delegation from the Winter Sports Administrative Center of China, led by Director General Ni Huizhong. Discussions focussed on how to build upon the success of the Beijing Winter Olympics; inspire hundreds of millions more people to experience skiing and snowboarding and create a new era of snow sports in China.

In 2021 FIS made two important steps towards closer integration with the Chinese snow sports community. First, a China Working Group was formed, to aid in the promotion of recreational and athletic Snowsports in China. Second, the FIS Liaison Office was opened in downtown Beijing to liaise directly with the working group. Momentum for our sport surged during the hugely successful Winter Olympics, with FIS and the Winter Sports Administrative Center of China determined to ensure that the legacy of the Beijing 2022 OWG is built upon for years to come.

“FIS is working closely with our partners in China to build momentum for Chinese winter sports”, said FIS president Johan Eliasch. “China undoubtedly has the most potential for growth of any nation, with skiing and snowboarding already surging in popularity. With our liaison office in Beijing, we have signalled our clear commitment to China – and having met the delegation, their passion for growth was clear too.”

Director General Ni Huizhong said: “President Xi Jinping enjoys sports very much, and he attaches great importance to the development of winter sports in China. The Winter Sports Administrative Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, along with the Chinese Ski Association will maintain close contact with FIS in all aspects, support holding high-level FIS events in China, strengthen personal exchanges of both sides, and constantly expand the new areas of cooperation. And I am looking forward to seeing President Eliasch and colleagues of FIS in China soon."

Li Yang, the Deputy Director General responsible for Snow Sports of the Winter Sports Administrative Center attended the meeting as well.