FIL mourns the passing of long-time World Skiing President Gian Franco Kasper

Berchtesgaden (FIL) The 77-year-old Swiss Gian Franco Kasper, who retired only last month after 23 years as President of the International Ski Federation FIS, has passed away.

The FIL luge family thanks Gian Franco Kasper for decades of successful and cooperative collaboration. FIL Honorary President Josef Fendt said: "Together we have achieved a lot for winter sports in the AIOWF, the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations, especially thanks to Gian Franco".

FIL President Einars Fogelis affirms, "This is very sad news. We loose a long-time companion who was very successful in promoting Olympic winter sports, represented our sports in the Executive Board of the IOC and was always known for a clear and open opinion. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and to the World Ski Federation with all its officials, staff and athletes."

Kasper was former tourism official from St. Moritz worked for the FIS for almost five decades. From the 1970s until his election as President in 1998, Gian Franco Kasper was Secretary General of the World Ski Federation.

At the most recent FIS online congress, on June 4, Gian Franco Kasper was already in the hospital and, as planned, was no longer available for election. The head of the Head ski brand, Johan Eliasch, was elected as his successor in the office of FIS President.