Will the FIS Games, wanted by Johan Eliasch, one day take place in St. Moritz? image: keystone/watson
The very ambitious FIS Games, of the international ski federation, were to take place in Saint-Moritz in 2028. But all risks being lost.
Rainer Sommerhalder / ch media
In June 2021, Anglo-Swedish multi-billionaire Johan Eliasch was elected new president of the International Ski Federation (FIS). A real snub for his opponent, the Swiss Urs Lehmann.
Only a few weeks later, the FIS, based on the shores of Lake Thun, had the brand “FIS Games” (“Jeux de la FIS”, in French) protected by the Federal Institute of Intellectual Property.
Eliasch, owner of the sports brand Head, dreams of another major winter sports event next to the Olympics.
The FIS Games project desired by Johan Eliasch is floundering. Image: KEYSTONE
His prestigious project provides to host in one place, for sixteen days, as many sports and disciplines of the International Ski Federation as possible. These “mini Olympics” must take place in the middle of two editions of the Winter Olympics. If Eliasch’s ambitions had come true, the first edition would have taken place in 2024.
A project too blurry and postponements
The president of the FIS had also chosen his favorite to organize this first edition: Switzerland. Urs Lehmann, Eliasch’s ex-rival and president of Swiss-Ski, revealed to CH Media – the group to which watson – from January 2022:
“Johan Eliasch approached me with the idea that Switzerland was predestined to host the first FIS Games. We will be happy to seriously consider the matter when we know the actual concept.”
Urs Lehmann
It quickly became apparent that an organization in 2024 was not realistic. The preparation time would have been far too short.
Especially since between the idea in Eliasch’s head and a concrete concept, there was always a big gap.
Instead, the FIS set about setting up a formal application process for 2028. Two candidates came forward: Switzerland and Norway. On the Swiss side, it is Saint-Moritz, in Graubünden, which entered the running. The awarding of these first FIS Games was to take place on June 5 during the international federation congress in Iceland.
Urs Lehmann, president of Swiss-Ski, is in favor of holding major events in Switzerland. Image: KEYSTONE
But this was postponed. Norway had already withdrawn its candidacy in March and Switzerland, due to a lack of concrete information on financial issues and the organizational contract, has also not shown itself ready to give its final agreement. She set concrete conditions.
Others new priorities for Switzerland
The FIS dreams of a monster program, with 116 events. In other words: bigger than that of the Winter Olympics. In addition to the traditional disciplines of alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, freestyle skiing and snowboarding, there will also be freeride, telemark, speed skiing as well as para-sport in alpine skiing, Nordic skiing and snowboarding.
Four months after the postponed election, it is clear that for 2028, it is the status quo and that no solution has been found. The second hoped-for organization date will therefore also fall through.
Indeed, the preparation time for such a major event is now too short, even for Switzerland. Diego Züger, co-director of Swiss-Ski, says: “At present, the framework conditions for a successful organization in 2028 are not met.”
Will a third Swiss attempt take place in 2032? Certainly, Swiss-Ski remains favorable to the event. But given its long-term strategy for major events, it is possible that the Swiss federation will abandon Eliasch’s great project.
Indeed, it is currently seriously considering a candidacy for the organization of the Nordic World Ski Championships in 2031 or 2033. Which would be a first in Switzerland. And if our country were to one day obtain the organization of the 2038 Winter Olympic Games, the strategic priority of the FIS Games could quickly take a back seat.
Translation and adaptation into French: Yoann Graber
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