Rio de Janeiro (RWH) Ivo Ferriani, President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), has been admitted into the 129th Session of the International Olympic Committee. As a result, the 56-year-old Italian has joined one of the most influential committees in the world of sport. The IOC currently has now 98 members and has been led by President Dr. Thomas Bach of Germany since 2013.
“Not only is this a huge honour for me personally, the accolade and recognition also extends to all members of the IBSF. It is the result of all our successful work together over the past few years” said Ivo Ferriani in Rio de Janeiro. Ivo Ferriani’s journey took him from an athlete and Olympic competitor, then trainer and official, to his post as IBSF President and his current status as an IOC member.
It all started in 1982 when the amateur footballer and athlete was accepted into the Italian bobsleigh team. Ferriani, born in Grugliasco near Turin on 5 March 1960, quickly worked his way up from brakeman to pilot. After winning silver in the 2-man bobsleigh at the 1986 Junior European Championships in Innsbruck, he went on to come fourth in the 4-man bobsleigh at the European Championships just one year later. He then took part in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary (CAN), where he and brakeman Stefano Ticici finished 19th.
After Calgary, Ferriani, who holds a degree in Sports Science from Rome, switched to the world of training and experienced the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville (FRA) and the 1994 Games in Lillehammer (NOR) as the coach for his home team. From 1995, he led France’s bobsleigh team to unexpected success, such as taking bronze at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano. Another remarkable achievement came in Bruce Mingeon’s victory in the 4-man bobsleigh at the 1999 World Championships in Cortina D’Ampezzo (ITA). After two years as a trainer in Canada, Ivo Ferriani was ready for the next stage in his career.
From 2002 to 2006, as track manager he looked after proceedings on the Olympic track in Cesana Torinese. The 56-year-old played a central role in the early construction phases, successfully coordinated the homologation process despite a few difficulties, and was involved in each individual stage. As the competition manager for bobsleigh, skeleton and luge, he made sure the racing came to a successful end. By then he was already working with his key right-hand woman, Heike Grösswang, who has been General Secretary of the IBSF since 2012.
Ivo Ferriani was then appointed IBSF President in Lake Placid in September 2010. Together with the members of the Executive Committee, he since then successfully manages the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation. Under his guidance, the federation launched a Para-Sport Programme and the Monobob as new equipment for the youth.

Photo: IBSF (IOC president Thomas Bach congratulates newly elected IOC member, IBSF president Ivo Ferriani