Former British ski racer and Secretary General of the FIS, Sarah Lewis OLY OBE, has been named as the new Deputy Secretary General of FISU, as of the 1st January 2023.
FISU, the Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire, founded in 1949, is the International University Sports Federation and a key driver to expand the role and reach of university sport around the world, including staging bi-annual Winter Games.
“I have long admired the work of FISU and have experienced first-hand the way its events have served as an important stepping stone towards success for many Winter Olympians. At the same time, it’s clear that international sport is a really valuable life experience for all the university and college students served by FISU and its members,” said Lewis. “I am thrilled to have a chance to contribute to the long-term leadership of an organisation which is clearly so important in helping shape so many young lives.”
Just days after taking up her post, Lewis will join the FISU team ensuring the safe and successful delivery of the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games.
In addition to the competitions featuring thousands of the best university winter sports athletes, the event will include a FISU World Conference on the theme of Save Winter, aimed at addressing the challenge faced by winter sport as a result of climate change.
“FISU is delighted to have someone of Sarah’s calibre as a proven leader in sport to join our senior team as we look to the future,” said FISU Acting President Leonz Eder, who added, “Sarah has valuable experience in all the key areas that are so important to FISU: event management, sourcing host cities, increasing broadcast and commercial appeal, and doing all of this in a sustainable way. I am sure she will make a great and lasting contribution to the way in which FISU and our members provide opportunities in sport and physical activity for students all over the world.”
“It has always been very important to me and to my colleagues in the FISU leadership to ensure the organisation is in good hands as I approach my anticipated retirement in 2025,” added FISU Secretary General and CEO Eric Saintrond, adding, “Sarah and I have been colleagues in sport for many years. During 2023 and 2024, she will have the opportunity to help lead the delivery of a full two-year cycle of FISU World University Games, FISU World University Championships and FISU World Cups, together with all our institutional meetings, before I hand over to her after 40 years of activity in FISU and 18 years as SG/CEO.”
