Sport no longer ends when the finish line is crossed. For many women, that moment marks just the beginning of a new journey—one that takes them from the demands of high performance into the spaces where the future of the Olympic Movement is shaped. At the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, this transition becomes visible through leadership roles that represent not only personal growth, but also a structural shift in how sport is built and governed.

In this context, figures such as Fiona Stevens, Regula Meier, Elena Sorina Ticu, and Kim Forge reflect a growing trend: sporting experience as a foundation for leadership. It is not just about holding positions, but about transferring deeply human lessons—resilience, discipline, and the ability to manage pressure—into decision-making. At the same time, the increasing female representation in organizations like the International Olympic Committee confirms that this transformation is already underway, even if still evolving.

High performance as a school of leadership

The journeys of these women share a common thread: sport as a formative space that goes beyond the physical. In organizations such as the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, the International Ski Mountaineering Federation, and the International Luge Federation, their presence is not symbolic, but functional. They have reached these roles with a perspective shaped by direct experience, understanding not only competitive dynamics but also the needs of athletes and the challenges within the system.

In Stevens’ case, her background in alpine skiing and Olympic competition shaped a leadership style grounded in skills that are difficult to develop outside of sport: attention to detail, organization, and the ability to perform under pressure. The same logic applies to Forge, who views leadership as a natural extension of years spent competing internationally. For both, sport was not just a phase, but a school that provided tools valued far beyond the sporting world, opening doors in environments where credibility is built on lived experience.

Representation, confidence, and the challenge of opening pathways

Progress in female representation within organized sport is undeniable, yet it also reveals underlying tensions. While a significant number of International Federations have reached meaningful levels of participation, access to the most influential spaces remains shaped by cultural factors, including confidence. Meier identifies this clearly: many women do not question their abilities, but rather their place in decision-making environments historically dominated by men.

In this regard, the role of visible figures such as Kirsty Coventry becomes essential. Her presence not only validates the path but also expands it. Ticu, drawing from her experience as both an athlete and an administrator, emphasizes the need to create more opportunities and educational pathways to sustain this progress, while Forge highlights the responsibility of those already in leadership: to open doors, support others, and build an environment where future generations can grow with greater ease and confidence.