As part of our new series, we have interviewed members of the European Athletics Young Leaders Youth Team.
They were all nominated by their federations to take part in the Young Leaders Forum in Amsterdam last summer and are all recognised as potential leaders of our sport in years to come.
The European Athletics Young Leaders Community is a platform for active young and ambitious people who are interested in developing work and life skills, community service and making new friends.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Hello! My name is Sophie Hertfelder, I am French and I live in a lovely city called Strasbourg. This year is a little strange because thanks to a university exchange programme, I am spending one year in Argentina but in France, I study political sciences. I used to be an athlete and now I try to keep involved in the athletics world by being a European Athletics Young Leader among other things.
How did you become involved with the European Athletics Young Leaders Community?
Last June, Jean-Marie Bellicini, the former President of the Alsacian League of Athletics and General Secretary of the French Athletics Federation called me to suggest joining the European Athletics Young Leaders Community and go to the Young Leaders Forum in Amsterdam.
He knew that I really wanted to get involved and take part in the organisation of athletics at local, national, European and even at a global level one day. I accepted his offer, it was an incredible opportunity and really one of my best experiences in athletics in all my life.
What is your favourite thing about athletics?
I think it is the diversity, in every sense of the word. I am not just referring to the large range of disciplines that athletics offers but all the different aspects of athletics: education, administration, organisation, advertising and marketing. There is so much to learn and that’s great!
Who is your athletics hero and why?
At the risk of sounding unimaginative, my athletics hero is really Usain Bolt. In my opinion, he revolutionised athletics. He made it incredibly popular and cool thanks to his achievements and his personality.
If you could change one aspect of the sport, what would you change and why?
I would like to organise and prepare the future generation. To me, it is important to get more young people involved in athletics. They must be involved in decisions that affect them.
A real collaboration between the young generation and the ones with more experience should be implemented. Young people should see behind the scenes, not only as athletes but also everything involved in terms of doping, organisation of competitions, becoming an official, commitment in their own club, sports journalism…
Where do you see yourself within the sport in ten years’ time?
Tough question! So many things can occur within ten years - will I be too old to still be a young leader? I should have finished my studies and I will be working. I really hope to do a job I love and relating to sport or athletics. Maybe in the field of European or international relationships, in a diplomatic way or in a more organisational way such as implementing projects? I also hope to be still active personally and practice all kinds of sports as often as possible!
What has been your highlight of Young Leaders so far?
Without any hesitation it was the Young Leaders Forum in Amsterdam last summer. It was the most inspiring experience I have ever had!