Kim Jae-yeol Elected President of Winter Sports Federations
The International Skating Union president succeeded Ivo Ferriani to lead the seven-member winter sports group.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Ice Skating
International Skating Union president Kim Jae-yeol has been elected as the new president of the Winter Olympic Sports Federations. The election took place during a recent meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Why it matters
The appointment recognizes Kim's dedication to winter athletics and focuses on his objective of strengthening cooperation across international sports federations. His leadership will influence the strategic direction of the seven member federations represented by the group.
The Winter Olympic Sports Federations encompasses 7 distinct member organizations including skating, skiing, luge, ice hockey, curling, bobsleigh-skeleton, and biathlon. This leadership transition occurs within an umbrella group that coordinates these winter disciplines.
The players
Kim Jae-yeol
He is the president of the International Skating Union who recently assumed leadership of the Winter Olympic Sports Federations.
Ivo Ferriani
He is the predecessor who previously held the presidency of the Winter Olympic Sports Federations.
International Skating Union
This is the global governing body for competitive ice skating that has maintained a 130-year history.
International Olympic Committee
This organization manages the Olympic Games and maintains an executive board to oversee international sporting governance.
Winter Olympic Sports Federations
This collective body represents seven international federations dedicated to winter sports disciplines.
The details
Kim Jae-yeol, who became the first non-European president of the International Skating Union in 2022, was elected to lead the Winter Olympic Sports Federations in Lausanne. He succeeds Ivo Ferriani in the role, continuing a tenure that also included his election to the International Olympic Committee executive board earlier in 2026.
Timeline
Kim became the first non-European ISU president in 2022.
He was elected as an IOC executive board member in February 2026.
Kim secured re-election as ISU president in June 2026.
The election as WOF president took place on October 5, 2026.
The Big Picture
Kim's elevation reflects his growing influence within the governance structures overseen by the International Olympic Committee executive board. His leadership marks a transition toward broader cross-federation cooperation in winter sports.
The leadership change suggests a more integrated management approach for the seven sports represented in the federation. This may lead to shifts in multi-sport event coordination and standardized policies across the skating, skiing, and sliding disciplines.
The takeaway
Kim's election highlights the increasing move toward unified leadership across international sports governing bodies. His career trajectory demonstrates how leaders can bridge gaps between specific discipline federations and the broader Olympic movement.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest leadership updates within the Ice Skating community.
