FIS Covid-19 Media Guidelines
Protect Yourself, Protect Others
Introduction:
Entering the second season with the Covid-19 pandemic, the International Ski Federation will
continue to implement full safety regulations and guidelines for all stakeholders.
The goal remains to allow as many journalists to cover its World Cup competitions as possible
in accordance with National Government Regulations and the capacity of Local Organizing
Committees.
The health and safety of all stakeholders on site is the number one priority of FIS.
These guidelines need to be followed by all stakeholders, regardless of vaccination or
immunity status.
This document is meant to provide all stakeholders with guidelines and best practices on how to
cover the various World Cup competitions. As the pandemic continues to evolve, so too will
these guidelines. Anyone with any feedback is welcome to email communications@fisski.co
Respect the Rules
FIS is counting on all stakeholders to act responsibly and to to maintain a high level of personal
hygiene, including consistant and thorough handwashing, mask wearing, minimizing physical
contact with others and using common sense in all daily interactions.
It goes without saying that should any journalists experience any symptoms of Covid-19, these
should be reported immediately to the medical team on site.
Pre-Event Testing & Health Questionnaire:
All stakeholders will be required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test (PCR only) and
complete a Health Questionnaire. Details of the FIS Covid-19 World Cup Risk Management and
Testing Protocol can be found here
Important: If the Pre-Testing Protocol is not followed, it will result in either an accreditation not
being issued, or revoked.
During-Event Covid-19 Prevention Proof or Test:
For persons without vaccination or without a previous infection proof (6 months), will need to
undergo another Covid-9 test on site as provided for by the LOC (on costs of the respective
stakeholder/individual).
For Journalists:
Before the Event:
Accreditation will be limited at all venues. Priority will be given to agencies, followed by major
national newspapers, industry publications and so on. If space is limited, freelance journalists
will need to provide a full list of clients to be considered for accreditation. For photographers, the
procedure will be the same. In Alpine, those on the A1 list will have first priority.
No season accreditations will be granted. All journalists must apply on a venue-by-venue basis.
Should there be a venue that does not permit any journalists or photographers, FIS will publish
rights-free photos and sound cloud audio clips for use by all media. The links to these resources
will be communicated via the discipline WhatsApp channels.
All journalists must follow the Pre-Testing and On-Site Prevention protocols. Failure to do so will
result in accreditations not being granted or revoked
Journalists are expected to keep themselves up-to-date with each destination’s travel
regulations. FIS and the LOC take no responsibility for any quarantine measures in place for
travel between two nations, nor for any measures that arise while an event is ongoing.
On site:
General
 If possible, media should attend the event using their own transport.
 Masks must be worn by journalists in all accredited areas. All journalists should bring
enough masks to last through any event. The mask needs to cover both the nose and
mouth.
 Hand sanitizer will be provided by all LOCs, however it is recommended that each
journalist travel with his/her own supply.
 Journalists should limit their movements between the official accredited areas and their
hotel only. In some venues, not following these regulations and going outside the
‘bubble area’ may lead to an accreditation being revoked.
 The paths at venues might change significantly and it is likely that the shortest routes
may not be available since the various groups cannot mix.
 Media will not be able to have direct access to athletes, competition areas or team
zones (except Mixed Zone) as per the group designations in the Testing Protocol.
Mixed Zones
 The mixed zone will have double fencing of at least 1 meter between athletes and
journalists.
 On the journalist side of the fence, social distancing should also be obeyed, however to
allow freedom of movement in the mixed zone, barriers will not be built on the journalist
side of the mixed zone, Journalists are expected to respect social distancing guidelines
amongst each other.
 Athletes should wear masks everywhere except the Field of Play (finish area). This
includes leader boards, live interviews and mixed zones.
 At no time should a journalist ask an athlete to remove his/her mask.
Interviews
 All in-person interviews must be conducted in the mixed zone, or as agreed by the
teams. Availability of mixed zone slots will depend on the space available on-site.
 Due to the increased distance between the athletes and journalists, it is recommended
that journalists invest in a ‘selfie stick’ or boom stick to get the recording device close
enough to pick up the athlete’s voice during mixed zone interviews.
 Sanitary measures should be taken to ensure that the microphone is disinfected after
each interview, either a new plastic cover or other methods. The microphone should stay
only with the athlete and the journalist should not speak into it as well.
Photo Zones
 A decision about designated photo positions on the courses will be made individually for
each event. If social distancing cannot be maintained for on-course potions, masks will
need to be worn.
 Photographers will not be able to enter the finish areas to take photos of the
ceremonies. Instead, the podiums will be placed in such a way that photos of the
ceremony are possible from the photo stands in the finish.
Press Conferences, Written and Audio Statements
 Athletes will not attend press conferences in the media center. They will be live
streamed on a Zoom channel that will be communicated at each event. Journalists will
have the opportunity to type in any questions for the athletes.
 If media numbers are greatly restricted, audio statements will be distributed by the FIS
Media team. Information about the services in different disciplines can be obtained in the
discipline-specific whatsApp groups and media guides
 Press Conferences will be announced on a race-by-race basis, depending on interest.
For the Organisers
Before the event:
 All accredited zones should be measured and the number of available accreditations
determined based on the social distancing guidelines at the given venue.
 Tables in the press center should not face each other unless a barrier is installed.
 Should there be a larger main press center and smaller sub-press center at the finish
area, accreditations may be separated into two categories and marked with journalists
who are permitted to access the smaller sub-press center.
 Should the mixed zone also have restricted space a similar marking system (sticker or
otherwise) may be implemented to grant access to priority journalists.
 If a journalist does not have access to the sub-press center and/or mixed zone, it should
be communicated to them when they are granted their accreditation as this may have an
impact on their decision to attend the race – and will allow them to pack enough clothing
should they not have indoor access at the finish area.
 Accreditations should be pre-printed and available for pick-up in the press center and/or
media hotel. Where security allows, photos should not be on accreditations to avoid
unnecessary contact at the accreditation center.
 Catering and journalist working areas should be separated to reduce interaction
 Ideally, media representatives should be accommodated in separate hotels or on
separate floors from the other groups listed in the Testing Protocol.
During the event
 While each journalist is expected to have their own mask, organizers should be
prepared to have extras on site should they be needed.
 Hand sanitizer should be provided at every entrance to accredited zones (mixed zone
included) and kept filled throughout the day.
 All catering should be either ‘grab and go’ ex: sandwiches or served by one designated
person to the journalists. There should be no self-serve food to avoid spreading of
germs on items such as serving utensils.
 Organizers should be prepared to provide a room for post-race press conferences with a
moderator and camera man (normally a TV commentator box should have the space).
The link for the live stream will be provided to each Chief of Press.
 Organizers are strongly encouraged to set up a non-venue mixed zone where teams can
book times for interviews with various media. The mixed zone should follow all social
distancing guidelines, while giving media a more relaxed chance to interview athletes
outside the finish are mixed zone.
 When possible, volunteers should stay at the same post throughout a given event
weekend to help with any necessary contact tracing.
 All working areas should be disinfected and cleaned throughout each competition day.
 Should a shuttle transport system be necessary, plan extra shuttles with more space to
allow for social distancing. When this is not possible, all passengers must wear a mask.
 Temperature and privacy permitting, doors to indoor venues and bathroom facilities
should be left propped open to minimize unnecessary contact with door handles, etc…
 Since there is increased distance between the journalists and athletes in the mixed
zone, music after the event should be turned down or off completely.