FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lausanne, Switzerland - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced today that the Federation International du Ski (FIS) would no longer be the organizing body for Olympic snowboard event. The Ticket To Ride (TTR), an independent body that oversees a snowboard-only world tour would be responsible for organizing an annual World Cup Tour and quadrennial Olympic events.

"After many years of pressure from the snowboard community, we decided it was time to re-scrutinize the TTR's potential to replace FIS as the organizing body for IOC-sanctioned snowboarding events", said IOC President Jacques Rogge. "We had a thorough look at the TTR's operation and we are satisfied that Olympic snowboarding is in good hands", continued President Rogge.

FIS President Gian Franco Kasper was disappointed with the decision, stating that he "hope(d) the IOC would not regret their decision". TTR President Reto Lamm, said that "snowboarders all over the world will be celebrating today, this is an important achievement for snowboarding".

"We proved to the IOC that we have the experience and know-how to be the organizing body of the WC and the Olympics", said Lamm, adding "it was about time they let snowboarders take control of their own sport out of the hands of skiers".

The FIS will officially cede control of World Cup and Olympic snowboarding to TTR as of June 1, 2010.