FIS Mourns Vice President Janez Kocijancic

Kocijančič, who was also active in politics and business, was the president of the Slovenian Olympic Committee between 1991 and 2014, and headed the European Olympic Committees since 2017.

Kocijančič will be most remembered by his work in sports, where he has left an indelible mark, especially in skiing, while also serving at important international posts.

First he headed the Ski Association of Slovenia (1974-1984) Yugoslavia (1984-1988), and in 1991, after when Slovenia became an independent nation he led the creation of the Ski Association of Slovenia which became one of the most active FIS member nations.

Kocijančič was also elected the first president of the Slovenian Olympic Committee and served at the post for more than 23 years. Since 2005, he was also a member of the executive committee of the European Olympic Committees, becoming the organisation's Vice President in 2013 and its President in 2017.

In 1981, Kocijančič was elected a member of the FIS Council and has served as Vice President since 2010.

Kocijančič began his outstanding service to FIS as a member of the Legal and Safety Committee in 1977. Alongside his role as a member of the Council and as FIS Vice President, he also chaired the Marc Hodler Foundation Board and FIS Marketing Ltd.

He is the recipient of the Bloudek Award (1985), Slovenia's most prestigious sports accolade, and of the Norwegian King Olav Trophy (2014) for his global promotion of skiing.

FIS President Gian Franco Kasper said of Kocijančič, ”FIS and the world of sport has lost a true friend. Janez Kocijančič was a dedicated member of the Council who served FIS and the sport with distinction and wisdom. His wonderful sense of humour will also be warmly remembered. It is with a heavy heart that I express the deepest condolences of FIS to his wife Andreja and their family, the Ski Association of Slovenia community and his many friends all over the world”

Born in 1941, he graduated in law in 1965 and earned a master's and a doctoral degree in the same field, while he also entered politics at a young age, presiding the League of Communist Youth of Yugoslavia in 1968-1971. Since then, he was active in business, including as the chief executive of the flag carrier Adria Airways between 1982 and 1993