Gilbert Felli

Gilbert Felli is an Executive Committee Member of the World Union of Olympic Cities and also serves as Senior Olympic Games Advisor at the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Over his two-decade tenure with the IOC, Gilbert has played key roles, beginning as Sports Director and later becoming the Executive Director for the Olympic Games (2002-2014). In this role, he was responsible for the coordination, evaluation, and organisation of the Games, overseeing preparations and working closely with organising committees for several Olympics, including Sochi 2014, London 2012, and Rio 2016.

Gilbert Felli contributed to the Olympic Movement through his work as the Director of the Sports Department in Lausanne from 1983 to 1990. He collaborated with then-IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch to advance the "Lausanne – Olympic Capital" concept. Before joining the IOC, Felli was a competitive athlete, representing Switzerland as a skier and later becoming the Director of the Leysin Ski Resort. He has also held vice-presidential and presidential roles in various international championships, including curling, archery, gymnastics, and ice skating.

Gilbert Felli also served as a member of the IOC Evaluation Commission and was part of the IOC Candidature Acceptance Working Group from 2006 to 2016, helping oversee bid evaluations and candidate selections for future Games. He continues to be involved as an advisor, focusing on Olympic Games preparations and organisational challenges, particularly advising on Rio 2016’s operational aspects.

Gilbert provides strategic input for Olympic-related urban initiatives at the World Union of Olympic Cities. He is highly regarded within the Olympic community, with leaders from events like PyeongChang 2018 and Vancouver 2010 acknowledging his impact. He is also a trusted advisor, contributing his expertise in Olympic organisation and coordination to support smooth transitions and ongoing projects.

Gilbert is passionate about skiing, cycling, and hiking, reflecting his lifelong commitment to sport. His extensive experience and dedication continue to drive forward the objectives of the Olympic Movement and global sporting collaborations.

Gilbert Felli was born on 4 August 1947 in Leysin, Switzerland. Early in life, he developed a strong connection to sports, particularly skiing, which later became central to his professional path. Gilbert's athletic career began as a member of the Swiss national ski team in 1968. From 1969 to 1972, he continued as a professional skier, building a foundation of practical experience that would support his later roles in sports administration.

In 1975, Felli became the Director of Leysin Ski Resort, a position he held for eight years, overseeing operations and enhancing its facilities and reputation within Switzerland. He was instrumental in promoting skiing and winter sports during this time. 

His next role was as Director of the Sports Department in Lausanne, from 1983 to 1990. Here, Felli collaborated closely with then-IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch to further the concept of “Lausanne – Olympic Capital,” a vision to establish Lausanne as a major Olympic hub. This project strengthened Lausanne’s relationship with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and cemented the city’s role in international sports.

Felli joined the IOC in 1990, initially as Director of Sports. He was responsible for managing IOC relations with international sports federations and overseeing the coordination of the Olympic Games. 

In 1992, Felli joined the IOC Coordination Commission, a role that involved close work with organising committees to ensure Games delivery standards. He later served on the IOC Evaluation Commission, assessing potential host cities for both summer and Winter Games.

In 2002, Felli was appointed Executive Director for the Olympic Games, a role he held until 2014. As Executive Director, Felli’s responsibilities covered coordination, evaluation, and organisation of the Games. He managed complex logistics, liaised with organising committees, and provided strategic input to address challenges. 

He played a key role in preparations for the London 2012 Olympics, working closely with organisers to keep preparations on track and ensuring the timely completion of event sites. Felli was also actively involved in Sochi 2014, where he supported infrastructure projects and collaborated with Russian officials to navigate the Games’ specific challenges, including tight timelines and logistics. 

For Rio 2016, he shifted to an advisory role, working on-site with organisers to address delays and operational issues, aiming to fulfil IOC standards despite considerable hurdles.

Throughout his time at the IOC, Felli contributed to international sports development through his involvement in various world and European championships, such as curling, archery, gymnastics, and ice skating. He held vice-presidential and presidential roles in these events, helping to advance their organisation and establish event structures that would support international participation and recognition.

Felli also served on the IOC’s Candidature Acceptance Working Group from 2006 to 2016. This group reviewed bid proposals and helped select cities for future Games, an essential component in the IOC’s long-term strategic planning.

Currently, Felli is an Executive Committee Member of the World Union of Olympic Cities, where he advises on projects that strengthen Olympic city partnerships and enhance urban development through sports. He remains a Senior Olympic Games Advisor, with a special focus on offering guidance based on his deep experience in Olympic event management. His work is characterised by a consistent focus on collaboration, contributing to the success and continuity of the Olympic Games.

Gilbert Felli's vision is to promote the Olympic Movement's values through effective organisation and collaboration, ensuring the Olympic Games continue to unite diverse cultures and inspire people worldwide. He focuses on creating strong partnerships between host cities and the IOC, aiming to enhance urban development and make a lasting impact on communities through sports. By advising on infrastructure, logistics, and city planning, Felli seeks to support cities in delivering sustainable and memorable Olympic events. His vision centres on fostering inclusivity, promoting sportsmanship, and developing structures that allow future generations to benefit from the Olympic legacy.

Gilbert Felli has received recognition within the Olympic community for his contributions to the successful organisation of multiple Olympic Games. His expertise in planning and execution has earned praise from international Olympic leaders, including former Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman, who credited Felli’s role in guiding the Games’ preparation. Felli is also recognised as an Honorary Member of the Association of Global Event Management (AGES) for his influence on sports event management. Leaders from events like Vancouver 2010 and PyeongChang 2018 have acknowledged his contributions, noting his role in supporting smooth transitions and efficient event delivery.