Young Athletes Find Their Voice in Narvik

Mar 16, 2026·Inside FIS

Young athletes attending FIS' "Your Sporting Voice" workshop at the FIS Junior WC in Alpine Skiing in Narvik.

At the FIS Junior World Championships in Alpine Skiing in Narvik, a new initiative brought an important dimension to the event: helping the next generation of athletes understand and shape their voice in today’s media landscape.

For the first time, the “Your Sporting Voice” workshop was organized alongside the competition, bringing together 40 athletes from ten different nations for an interactive session focused on communication, media awareness and personal storytelling. The workshop aimed to give young skiers tools that are becoming increasingly essential in modern sport. Today’s athletes compete not only on the slopes but also in a complex and fast-moving media environment that includes traditional broadcasters, digital platforms and social media. Understanding how to communicate authentically, manage opportunities and navigate risks is now part of building a successful sporting career.

Through discussions and practical examples, participants explored how athletes can develop their narrative, connect with fans and represent themselves and their sport in a responsible and authentic way. The session also encouraged athletes to reflect on identity first — understanding who they are before shaping their public image.

For many of the young competitors in Narvik, it was the first opportunity to think about communication as an integral part of their journey as elite athletes. The interactive format allowed them to share experiences, discuss the role of social media and learn how media exposure can both create opportunities and require careful management.

One of the athletes taking part, Iloe Pinchart (BEL), highlighted the value of the initiative:

The media training in Narvik was super valuable to me. It helped me better understand how to communicate with the media and how to share our stories as athletes. I really appreciated that this opportunity was also offered to athletes from smaller nations. I was able to take away many practical tips that will help me in the future.– Iloe Pinchart (BEL)

As the first initiative of its kind held during the Junior World Championships, the Narvik workshop marks the beginning of a format that is expected to grow and be developed further at future events, helping even more young athletes find and shape their voice in the sport.

Young athletes practice their media skills at FIS' "Your Sporting Voice" workshop in Narvik.