Milan – In the World Ski Association FIS it rumbles, it crunches in the beams. In addition, resistance to the newly confirmed president is growing John Eliasch. When the high-ranking sports official was re-elected, some ski associations had left the hall to protest against the election procedure. The ÖSV is even planning legal steps. general secretary Christian Scherer already speaks of already existing exams.
15 associations, including the ÖSV, demanded a secret vote. But Eliasch and the legal counsel of the FIS only allowed this to happen in a highly undemocratic manner. There is a vote for Elijah; an abstention or a “no” was by no means intended. Legal experts also saw no conformity with Swiss association law. Stefan SchwarzbachDSV board member spoke of a farce that the delegates only had the option to vote yes.
Eliasch got 70 of 117 possible votes. Since there was no opposing candidate, the billionaire stayed in office. Nevertheless, the external impact and the legal interpretations and understanding of democracy are more than just questionable. The FIS is also planning the central marketing of the World Cup races. Furthermore, the communication with the national associations is anything but interactive and sufficient. People are willing to pool rights, but there will be no expropriation. If the FIS boss prevails, the ÖSV will no longer exist in its familiar form. Other national associations could follow suit.
The fact that Eliasch has not yet withdrawn from the outfitter Head is causing a stir. There were no explanations; the ÖSV speaks of alienation and irritation. It may be that the era of the newly reconfirmed FIS President will soon come to an end. Some European associations are flirting with the idea of putting up an opposing candidate in the medium term. It would need a committer in advance that someone is willing to defy the British. But first the various legal opinions have to be looked at and checked to see whether there were any formal errors.
Furthermore, there are voices that portray Eliasch’s plan to make the deforestation of the rainforest climate-positive through an individual initiative of the FIS as absurd. But that’s probably another story.
Report for skiweltcup.tv: Andreas Raffeiner
Sources: sportnews.bz, laola1.at