A message from FIS President Johan Eliasch

For the last two weeks, the world has watched the Olympic Games in Tokyo with great fascination. Like the rest of the world, I was amazed by the many exceptional performances of the athletes and the compelling storylines.

But what I found myself the most impressed by was the team work - the way all of the stakeholders came together to make this edition of the Games possible.

As IOC President Thomas Bach noted in his closing speech, “Yes, these were unprecedented Olympic Games. It took us, the IOC and our Japanese partners and friends, an equally unprecedented effort to make them happen.”

It was proof that when everyone is working towards a common goal, anything is possible.

In 180 days, the world of winter sports will also come together for the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. It will be the chance for winter sports to capture everyone’s imaginations and propel our sports and athletes into the global spotlight.

But if Tokyo is any indication, the road to Beijing will not be easy. If there’s anything that the last year-and-a-half has taught us it is to expect the unexpected and to be prepared for every scenario.

While modern technology has allowed us to combat the Covid-19 virus at rapid pace, it is still not eradicated and continues to pose a threat to our daily lives.  We must accept that much like Tokyo, the pandemic may impact the Beijing Olympics.

The last World Cup season showed us that this spirit of cooperation and collaboration is very much alive within FIS – and this will provide us with groundwork we need for the very important Olympic season.

Furthermore, with this in mind, every winter sports stakeholder needs to be prepared that it will take a concerted effort by us all, and for all of us to come together in order to stage a successful and safe Winter Olympics.

‘One for all, all for one’ - Working together we shall make the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing a success.