(ATR) International Ski Federation president Gian Franco Kasper says he is ready to welcome IOC president Thomas Bach at February’s FIS Alpine Ski World Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek, Colorado.
The world championships, Feb. 2-15, are being contested in the U.S. for the first time since Vail last hosted the showcase event in 1999.
Bach reportedly will make an appearance at the championships on a U.S. trip that is also expected to include attending the Super Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona on Feb. 1 and a visit to the United States Olympic Committee headquarters in Colorado Springs.
"We didn’t talk especially about it, but as far as I know, he is coming to Vail," Kasper told Around the Rings. "He should also be at the Super Bowl, and he’s visiting the U.S. NOC too, as far as I know."
"We have snowboard, freestyle, Nordic and alpine world championships, so wherever he wants to be, he is welcome of course," Kasper said.
The colorful ski federation boss joked, "I will offer him the possibility of being the first forerunner on the downhill course."
Kasper was the first beneficiary of Bach’s Agenda 2020 reforms at the recent session in Monaco as the extension of age limits for IOC members in select cases was initiated one day after it was approved. The 70-year-old ski federation chief had his IOC term extended through June 30, 2018, equaling the duration of his term as FIS leader.
When kidded that he is evidence that Bach’s reforms are already working, Kasper responded modestly with a laugh, "It’s just a small detail."
In regards to putting the remainder of the 40 reforms into effect, Kasper said, "For the time being, all we have decided is the principles, but for the implementation there will be a lot of discussions and it’s not so easy."
"It will be a big step forward for the modernization of the Games."
Written by Brian Pinelli
Homepage photo: Vail/Beaver Creek
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