Russian candidate Jelena Välbe was not elected to the board of the International Ski Federation FIS. Martti Uusitalo will continue to represent Finland. The FIS also supplemented its name at the Milan Congress.
26.5. 14:54 • Updated May 26th. 15:01
President of the Russian Ski Association Jelena Välbe lost his seat on the board of the International Ski Federation FIS. The FIS elected new board members at its congress in Milan.
Välbe received the lowest number of votes. Välbe’s candidacy aroused advance, as Välbe supported the country’s military operations in Ukraine and strongly criticized the FIS’s decision to shut down Russian skiers at the Spring World Cup. In addition to the Russians, Belarusians were turned off the slopes.
Välbe is one of the most important skiing influences in Russia. In his sports career, he won, among other things, three Olympic golds and numerous world championships.
Välbe was one of 23 candidates for the 18-member government, but he got the lowest voting vote. Martti Uusitalo will continue as Finland’s representative on the Board. Finland opposed the possible re-election of Välbe.
In the spring and winter, the FIS shut down Russian and Belarusian athletes, and no country representatives were elected to the government. The board includes a Swedish billionaire chairman who has been extended for a further term Johan Eliaschin in addition, 18 members as well as an ex-skier representing the Athletes Commission Martti Jylhä and a U.S. freestyle counter Hannah Kearney.
The association completed its name at a congress in Milan and will henceforth be the International Federation of Skiing and Snowboarding. The abbreviation FIS remains unchanged. In the future, FIS will also be responsible for alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding.