International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation

The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) is the global governing body for the sports of bobsleigh and skeleton. It establishes the competition rules, technical standards, and safety regulations that govern events at the international level. The federation organizes the annual World Cup circuit, the World Championships, and various continental series that lead to qualification for the Olympic Winter Games. In addition to competition management, IBSF supports athlete development, coaching education, and the promotion of the sliding sports worldwide.

Headquartered in Switzerland, the IBSF operates as an independent international federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Its membership comprises national bobsleigh and skeleton federations from many countries around the world, providing the organization with a global reach. Through this network, the federation coordinates the scheduling of events, oversees the approval of tracks, and ensures compliance with anti‑doping policies. The organization’s role extends to representing the interests of the sliding sports in discussions with the IOC and other multi‑sport bodies.

The IBSF’s specialized focus on the two sliding sports of bobsleigh and skeleton distinguishes it from broader sport federations, allowing it to concentrate on the technical and safety nuances unique to these disciplines. This specialization was highlighted in December 2017 when the federation was targeted by the Pawn Storm threat actor group in a credential‑phishing campaign aimed at exploiting its connections to Olympic winter sports. The incident underscored the federation’s visibility and the strategic value that threat actors attribute to organizations linked to major international events. Despite such challenges, the IBSF continues to uphold its mandate of governing the sports with an emphasis on fairness, safety, and international cooperation.

As a non‑profit entity based in Switzerland, the IBSF is governed by a general assembly of its member federations and an elected executive committee that oversees day‑to‑day operations. The federation’s structure includes various committees responsible for areas such as rules development, event coordination, and athlete welfare. This governance model enables the organization to maintain transparency and accountability while pursuing its sporting objectives. The IBSF’s longstanding presence in the international sports landscape reflects its commitment to the continued growth and integrity of bobsleigh and skeleton worldwide.