Matthias Remund to Replace Eric Saintrond as FISU Secretary General

Matthias Remund, the director of Switzerland’s Federal Office of Sport, will become the new secretary general for the International University of Sports Federation, or FISU, starting in 2025.

Remund will be working with Deputy Secretary Generals Paulo Ferreira and Fernando Parente, who are currently respectively general director and director of development at FISU.

FISU has make inroads into the United States in recent years. The 2023 FISU Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York, was an 11-day competition with more than 2,500 participants from over 50 countries, twice the size of the 1980 Olympics the village hosted. The 2029 FISU Summer Games will be in North Carolina, the first time the event will be in the U.S. since 1993 in Buffalo, New York.

“I am convinced of the huge potential of both FISU and university sport,” Remund said. “What FISU does, nobody else can. It safeguards the quality of university sport, while solidifying collaborations with the IOC and other sports organizations from all over the world. I am extremely happy to be able to contribute to its development with my experience, my energy, my contacts and my passion for sport.”

Remund will succeed Eric Saintrond, who will step away as secretary general and chief executive officer after 40 years with FISU.

“FISU has changed immensely since I was named Secretary General/CEO in 2007,” said Saintrond. “Our management structure was no longer adapted to our reality and that is why we have decided to share responsibilities between the Secretary General and two Deputy Secretary Generals. After 40 years serving the International University Sports Federation, I am passing the reins to a solid team, which I am convinced will successfully lead our federation into the future.”

Remund is an experienced executive in numerous fields according to a FISU release including in sport politics and administration on a national and international level.

“The growth of FISU in all areas now requires a modern organizational structure, which will now be ensured by a Secretary General/CEO and two Deputy Secretary Generals,” said FISU President Leonz Eder. “I am convinced that the new management trio with Matthias Remund, as successor to Eric Saintrond, Paulo Ferreira as Deputy Secretary General/COO and Fernando Parente as Deputy Secretary General/CDO will tackle this task with flying colors.”