Sarah Lewis, former secretary general of the International Ski Federation (FIS) and former member of the Beijing 2022 Coordination Commission, praised the planning and preparation work of the 2022 Winter Olympics in an interview with Xinhua News Agency.

"Everything impressed me. Everything. This is the most meticulously perfect planning," said Lewis. "The legacy is already happening and in place not only from the perspective of the future with successful winter sports events but most importantly, this connects to winter sports tourism. This is the true legacy. There is a true big sports industry behind it."

The 56-year-old believes that China is setting a great example for future hosts of major international sports events with its remarkable work for the coming winter Olympics. Meanwhile, China has also invited a lot of famous coaches from overseas to help its elite athletes refine their skills. That's why Lewis is confident that Chinese athletes will perform well in 2022.

Lewis had been working as the secretary general of the FIS for 20 years until she was suddenly sacked in October 2020. "There is no specific explanation I can give you because I wasn't given any concrete reasons. The decision is a political one," said Lewis.

The sacking was announced after a council meeting on October 9, 2020. Lewis did not attend the meeting. "I wasn't allowed to attend the meeting. I wasn't told beforehand. I wasn't given any warnings or any information. Immediately after the meeting, the president took me to his office. Two members of the staff there, he read me a letter. It took two minutes and he said, 'Please, you leave the premises.'"

Lewis does not think it's anything personal that cost her the job because she had "no problem with anyone who made the decision." "I have regular contacts with all the council members, we have phone calls and we don't have any grudges."

Having reviewed what happened back then, Lewis said it might have been her working attitude and management style that overpowered people around her. "Not everybody liked me because I was so tough."

Gian-Franco Kasper, who has been the FIS president for 23 years, is stepping down at the next FIS Congress, which will take place on June 4. Lewis has already announced her candidacy for the position. After she left the FIS, the 56-year-old spent "six fantastic months" in the IMD Business School Inspirational Leadership program.

"This gives me a lot of courage and a clear vision. Now I am even more equipped for the challenges of serving as president, including providing leadership, support, and direction to the professional FIS management team, and be permanently at their disposal," said Lewis.

She promised that if she's elected, she will bring countries and regions without snow or mountains closer to the FIS. "As the organization, you need to represent all the members. We must grow globally. We need to expand the coverage and the interests, and we can do that. But you need to have persons who are working with you to do that."

(With input from Xinhua)