On International Women's Day (8), European Athletics is shining the spotlight on Ilgın Yüksel who has risen from the European Athletics Future Leaders Programme to a successful professional leadership career in athletics.
The European Athletics Future Leaders Programme is celebrating 20 years since its launch at the 2006 European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg.
What began as a biennial forum has evolved into a long-term leadership pathway that continues to shape the future of the sport.
As we look towards the 2026 edition of the Future Leaders Forum which will take place in Birmingham from 12–17 August, this Future Leaders Focus series meets some of the past Future Leaders who have since established their career in athletics.
Here we meet Ilgın Yüksel of Türkiye.
Tell us about yourself, your current role and you the Future Leaders Forum you attended
I currently serve as International Relations & National Team Manager at the Turkish Athletic Federation, and I attended the European Athletics Future Leaders Forum 2024 in Rome.
What are you doing now? Tell us about your current role.
In my role, I oversee the international coordination, logistics and operational planning for national teams across major events. This includes athlete travel and visa processes, accreditation, accommodation, competition entries, international relations, and on-site operations during championships.
I work closely with European Athletics, World Athletics and other regional bodies as the main English-speaking liaison for the federation, while also working in Local Organising Committees for major events hosted in Türkiye.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I enjoy the combination of mission and complexity. Athletics requires coordination between athletes, coaches, clubs, ministries, LOCs and international organisations. It is both operational and diplomatic.
Seeing this machinery work together so that athletes can simply focus on competing is extremely rewarding. I also enjoy meeting new people and making connections through this network and actually making new friends from other athletics bodies in other countries.
How did you get into this field?
I grew up in athletics thanks to my parents and originally started on the field of play as a pole vaulter, then as a volunteer in both national and international athletics events before later becoming a referee. I always enjoyed the organisational and international side of the sport, so transitioning into federation work and operations felt like a natural evolution.
What has been one defining moment in your career so far?
A defining moment for me was Türkiye hosting the 2024 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships and the Antalya 2024 SPAR European Athletics Cross Country Championships.
Being involved both in the team operations and in the international coordination as LOC project leader exposed me to how significant event hosting is for capacity building within a federation. It expanded my perspective from event delivery towards long-term strategic development. I’ve learned so much through these experiences.
What skills or experiences helped you get to where you are today?
Having experienced sport as an athlete, as an official and as a federation staff helped me understand multiple perspectives around the field of play. Here are the key skills that have helped me get to where I am now:
- communication & diplomatic skills
- international relations & compliance understanding
- event operations and crisis management
- language skills
- ownership mindset & responsibility for outcomes
Who or what inspires you in your career?
I am inspired by leaders who build capacity and structure in environments that are complex and fast-moving. I also admire federations that invest in education, youth pathways, sustainability and the professionalisation of operations because they strengthen the sport in ways that last beyond the events themselves.
I am equally inspired by people who give opportunities to young professionals, open pathways for them, and actively support the next generation in becoming future leaders in sport. Those who lift others and create space for them to grow make a real difference in our ecosystem.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in sport or leadership?
Be curious, ask questions, and say yes to opportunities early, especially to roles that are not in the spotlight. Be energetic and calm at the same time. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas.
Sport needs people who can build bridges, solve problems and communicate. Understanding how the international ecosystem works (calendars, governance, regulation, event organisation, competitions, bidding) makes a huge difference.
What’s something you wish you knew when you were starting your career?
That careers in sport are not linear. They progress through projects, relationships, international exposure and operational experience, not through conventional promotions. Patience and resilience truly matter in this field.
There more careers in sports then you can imagine, you never know what could come up to your way until you begin the experience.
Are there any exciting projects or goals you’re working on right now?
I am currently working as Türkiye’s youngest Competition Director for the International Race Walking Silver Tour in Antalya, and I will hold the same role for the upcoming Balkan Race Walking Championships.
A long summer season is also ahead of me with extensive national team duties. I am also improving and setting my goals on national team operations and education pathways, and expanding my international experience through different programmes.
My long-term goal is to contribute to international athletics governance, with the purpose of helping create competition environments that are healthier, better organised, more enjoyable and better coordinated for athletes — not only in my country, but for athletes worldwide.
