ISF PRESIDENT VISITS LAUSANNE FOR FIRST WORKING MISSION
May 2, Lausanne, Switzerland – ISF President Zeljko Tanaskovic visited Lausanne this week for his first official working mission at the ISF headquarters, following his election during the ISF General Assembly on April 8.
During his time in Lausanne, Mr. Tanaskovic held a series of strategic meetings with ISF Executive Director Hasnae El Ayoubi and the heads of ISF departments, with the aim of aligning operational priorities and setting the strategic direction for the months ahead.
The visit also included key exchanges with international stakeholders based in Switzerland, reinforcing ISF's ongoing commitment to collaboration and innovation in the field of school sport.
Strengthening Long-Term Partnerships: Meeting with United World Wrestling
President Tanaskovic met with UWW President Nenad Lalović to discuss the continued development of the long-standing cooperation between the two organisations.
The ISF and UWW have successfully partnered in past editions of ISF events, including the recent ISF U15 Gymnasiade 2025 in Zlatibor, where UWW experts supported coaching workshops aimed at both participating delegations and local Serbian coaches. These workshops provided practical training and encouraged knowledge exchange, helping to raise the technical standards of wrestling at the school level.
Both presidents agreed to deepen this cooperation further, with a focus on enhancing youth access to wrestling and reinforcing educational initiatives within ISF competitions.
Exploring New Horizons: Meeting with World Triathlon
In a forward-looking meeting, President Tanaskovic and World Triathlon President Antonio Fernandez Arimany explored the potential for reintroducing triathlon into the ISF event portfolio. The discussion focused on revitalizing interest in the sport within school-age athletes and building on the successes of past ISF triathlon events.
A notable example is Rosa Maria Tapia, who represented Mexico at the ISF World School Triathlon Championship – Versailles 2015 and later became one of the best triathlete competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Her journey underscores the developmental role ISF events can play in shaping future Olympians.
Strategic Cooperation with Lausanne, The Olympic Capital
President Tanaskovic also met with Sebastien Griesmar, Director of the Lausanne Olympic Capital Foundation, to discuss ways to further integrate ISF into the ecosystem of global sport based in Lausanne. The dialogue centred on long-term collaboration and the strategic use of ISF’s location within a hub of international federations and sport organisations.
This working mission marked a strong start to Mr. Tanaskovic's presidency, setting the tone for a new phase of international engagement and strategic planning. The ISF remains committed to working hand in hand with International Federations and other stakeholders across the globe. Through close collaboration and the continued development of its events, the ISF aims to expand access to school sport, enrich educational experiences, and empower the next generation through the values of sport and education.
