50th International Ski Congress - 2016 - Cancun (MEX)

The 50th edition of the FIS Congress in Cancun (MEX) from 5th to 11th June 2016 was attended by more than 900 participants from the extended global FIS family including delegates, representatives of National Ski Associations, Organizing Committees, the ski industry, service providers and the media who took part in more than 100 official meetings.

The Mexican Ski Association took great pride in hosting the most important biannual gathering of FIS at the Hotel Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Resort & Spa, Cancun with the President of the National Olympic Committee honouring the Congress with his presence along with other key persons from Mexican sport.

The city of Cancun is located on the Caribbean Sea, and is one of the easternmost points in Mexico.

One new member elected to FIS Council

The FIS Congress on 10th June 2016 elected the FIS Council for the upcoming two-year period from 2016-2018. There was no change in the nations represented despite welcoming one new member as Dong-Bin Shin (KOR) replaced Sung-Won Lee. Lee was appointed an Honorary Member of FIS.

FIS Athlete Commission Member representation on FIS Council

The Congress unanimously approved a change of Statutes to include a representative of the FIS Athletes’ Commission, voted by the Athletes’ Commission itself, as a member of the FIS Council with voting rights. The member for the next period would be Jessica Lindell-Vikarby (SWE) who was unanimously elected by the Congress.

FIS Membership

The Congress approved the affiliation of six National Ski Associations who fulfil the criteria for membership from Afghanistan, Kosovo, Kingdom of Tonga, Uganda, Nigeria and Ecuador as Associate Members.

The applications of the Mexican Ski Association and the Ski Association of Hong Kong for full membership were also approved.

Furthermore the Congress approved the following proposals from the National Ski Associations or the Council:

Adoption of FIS Rules on the prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions

The FIS Anti-Corruption and Betting Rules adopted in 2013 have been updated to reflect the required elements of the new Olympic Movement Code, in consultation with the FIS Legal Committee. The new FIS Rules have as a consequence been renamed the FIS Rules on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions.

FIS recognizes the importance of safeguarding young people in sport

The inclusion of a clause in the FIS Statues to encourage all member nations to develop policies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young persons as included under the objectives of FIS, along with relevant policies.

Long-Term FIS Strategy

To elaborate a strategy and business plan for the future, notably to lead the organization through the challenges that new technologies and consumer behaviour bring to snow sports and FIS.

FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships

Future hosts of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships to commit to host an edition of the FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships either before or within 1-2 years of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships to ensure the best possible competition standards for the top level of junior Nordic athletes.

Financial and administrative decisions

As part of the statutory business the Congress approved the accounts and reports of the auditors from the 2014-2015 financial period, as well as the budget for the next two year period 2016-2017.

Financial Support calculation 

A new system for the calculation of FIS financial support and special distribution payments to the National Ski Associations was approved. The system recognises participation in all FIS disciplines, competing at the FIS World Championships and the organization of competitions on the FIS Calendar.

Elections of the 2016/17 FIS World Championship Organizers

Last but not least, on 7th June 2016, Cancun saw the FIS Council elect the Organizers of the 2021 FIS Nordic, Alpine and Freestyle & Snowboard World Championships as well as of the 2020 FIS Ski Flying World Championships.

Planica (SLO) was unanimously elected as host of the 2020 FIS Ski Flying World Championships.

Also unanimously elected was Zhangjiakou/Genting Resort (CHN) for the FIS Freestyle Ski & Snowboard World Championships 2021. The resort will also host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games Freestyle and Snowboarding competitions, making the election very timely.

Cortina d’Ampezzo (ITA) was unanimously elected as the host of the 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.

The Nordic World Ski Championships will be hosted by Oberstdorf. The German town won with 11 ballots against its competitors Trondheim (4) and Planica (2).