Sports News: International Olympic Committee Honorary Member Gian-Franco Kasper has passed away at the age of 77 and the IOC is saddened to learn about the death of its Honorary Member.

In 2018 he was elected as an IOC Honorary Member and received the Olympic Order. Mr Kasper served as the President of the International Ski Federation (FIS) for 23 years over six terms of office and had recently stepped down from the position. The winter Olympics of Salt Lake City 2002, Turin 2006, Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018 were held while he was at the helm of the organisation.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “For the entire Olympic Movement and for me, Gian-Franco Kasper was the personification of modern ski sport. His achievements go far beyond his own sport and his own Federation. With all the reforms and adaptations in the past years under his leadership, he also changed the Olympic Winter Games. In all of this, he was always authentic. Nothing is more authentic than success, and the Olympic Movement has greatly benefited from Gian-Franco Kasper’s success.”

The Swiss national had a Mr Kasper who wasn't just an IOC Honorary Member, the Swiss national had a very competitive sporting career in alpine and cross-country skiing, skeleton, bobsleigh, equestrian and water skiing. He had also participated in golf.

Mr Kasper served on the IOC Executive Board and as Vice-President of Olympic Channel Services SA, Switzerland during his term as an IOC Member. The Swiss national was also on the Coordination Commissions for the winter Olympics that were held during his reign as the FIS Presidency. He was also a part of the Coordination Commissions for the upcoming Beijing 2022 Games.

As a mark of respect for Mr Kasper, the Olympic flag will be flown at half-mast at Olympic House in Lausanne. The IOC expresses its heartfelt condolences to Gian-Franco Kasper’s family.