Anja Paerson: Her role in the Athletes' Commission

Anja Paerson has not only been an ace in Alpine Skiing but is also an active member of the FIS Athletes’ Commission. In today’s Newsflash, she talks about her role, achievements and what it feels like to have competed and be engaged in sports at the same time.

FIS Newsflash: You have been an active member of the FIS Athletes’ Commission since 2009. What were your ambitions to join the Commission?

Anja: “My ambition to join the FIS Athlete Commission was that I knew if I wanted to change anything I would have to get involved. Not just sit on the side and wait for someone else to do it for me. I needed to take responsibility for my career in the World Cup.”

FIS Newsflash: You joined the Commission in your active years as an high-profile athlete. Can you do both at the same time? What does it look like in practical?

Anja: “It works. In the Commission, we try to talk at least four times per year on a conference call and meet once in combination with the FIS Technical Meetings. When we have meetings we try to talk to the decision makers about our issues. It is good to see that they listen to us even if the work we do might only be put in practice in some years-time.”
 
FIS Newsflash: What did you achieve in the past four years with regard to Alpine Skiing?

Anja: “Well I tried to make sure that the Athletes got more organised and tried to find ways to have a better communication between FIS and the Athletes. I think we achieved that the gap is now smaller and that the ones who take the decisions listen more to what the athletes want. Together with Kilian Albrecht, I also worked hard so that the Athletes now have a seat on the FIS Alpine Executive Board.”

FIS Newsflash: New elections will take place during next year’s World Championships. What are your words of wisdom for your peers to stand for election and/ or to vote?

Anja: “It is interesting to work across the disciplines and learn about what it is all about there and what the Commission can do for them. To understand that if you want change you need to do the work. It is not super hard but it is really important to get involved. Don't sit and think, “it does not impact me”. It really does!”

In order to nominate candidates for the FIS Athletes Commission, National Ski Association should fill in the following form. To view the deadlines of nomination for each discipline, click here.

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