New Delhi, June 10 -- It's rare in Olympic sports politics for a sitting president to be challenged in an election after just one full term in office.

Rarer still when that leader also has been accepted as a member into the International Olympic Committee.

Johan Eliasch faces a re-election vote Thursday to stay president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) against strong opposition from the Alpine, Nordic and north American heartlands of winter sport.

"Out of 80 voting nations there are about 10 that feel differently," Eliasch told The Associated Press in a recent interview. "The vast majority are on board for what we are trying to achieve."

Eliasch, a billionaire who built the Head sportswear brand, has clashed th...