Meet Igniter Ana Maria Stratu, who will be serving as deputy Venue Accreditation Manager for the historic Yves-du-Manoir stadium. While working towards Paris 2024, Ana took time to share her adventure in sports and in life with us. Ana's story is shaped and inspired by sports. Disciplined, determined, and unafraid to walk the talk, we are grateful for the insights and wisdom she shares with us.

Can you share with us the journey that led you to become a part of IGNITX? What sparked your interest in the sports events industry? 

My journey with IGNITX began in 2020 during the Commonwealth Games, where I initially joined as a Sport Entries manager. It was through this project that I first interacted with IGNITX (we collaborated with Neo on developing a new sport entries system for the games) and subsequently continued to work with them on several other projects remotely. As a parent of two young children, these remote projects provided a refreshing change and allowed me to continue pursuing my passion for sports event management while balancing family responsibilities.

My interest in the sports events industry was sparked at a very young age, influenced significantly by my father's belief in the importance of sports for personal development. My initial exposure to sports began with Dancesport, a popular activity in our country, but I soon transitioned to karate. Through karate, I engaged deeply with the sport, progressing from an athlete to a coach, then to a referee, and finally to an event organizer—a role I have held for over a decade now.

Reflecting on my journey, I believe that experiencing various roles within sports—both on the competitive side as an athlete and on the organisational side as an event organiser—has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in hosting successful sporting events. This diverse background has been instrumental in shaping my career path and fuelling my enthusiasm for the sports events industry, culminating in my ongoing collaboration with IGNITX.

What do you enjoy most about working in the events industry, and specifically within the sports domain? 

The quality of people!

During my university years, I engaged in volunteering and worked across diverse fields like pharmacy, politics, and tourism. Yet, none of these experiences matched the passion and values I discovered within the sports community.

Events often come with their share of unexpected challenges. What are some significant/ interesting challenges you have faced when working in sports events and how did you overcome them?

Managing communication and navigating egos can indeed be one of the most significant challenges in the sports events industry, where diverse personalities and backgrounds converge. Throughout my experience, I've encountered various situations where effective communication was the only way to overcome challenges.

It's essential to strike a balance between maintaining professional relationships and navigating personal dynamics, ensuring a healthy social and professional distance is maintained.

From a more practical perspective, I once had to juggle three roles at the same time, that is coordinating the operations with three client groups: sport volunteers, International Technical Officials and National Technical Officials. The solution (salvation) was empowering a couple of young volunteers who were able to take over some responsibilities of what normally a paid staff would do. Hats off to the volunteers! 

Outside of organising sports events, what are some personal interests or passions you pursue/ are proud of? How do these interests contribute to your professional life? 

It's difficult to pinpoint, as my life has revolved around children for the past 7 years. However, I aim to complete my Korean language courses and resume my involvement in sports. I don't take pride in anything specific; I'm simply grateful for the various projects and activities I've been fortunate to participate in within the sports realm. One of the highlights was representing Moldova as a Youth Olympic Games Ambassador at Nanjing 2014 and later becoming part of the IOC Young Leaders program (2016/2017/2020). Through the latter, as part of the Moldova National Karate Federation, we successfully organised three editions of the Women's Karate Festival—an initiative celebrating women in martial arts and highlighting the presence of girls in our country's karate community. I cherished every moment of organising these events. 

Beyond sports events, are there any other projects or initiatives you're involved in? How do these align with your values or interests?

I serve as an Executive Board member of the National Karate Federation of Moldova, providing consultancy services as required. Leveraging my international experience to benefit the local sports community is a meaningful way to contribute to the development of sports in my country.

How have you prioritised your interests and working with sports events? How have you successfully found balance in your various projects and your personal life?

I meditate and occasionally work out to be able to maintain adequate levels of energy,  enabling me to handle the demands of both my professional projects and personal life.

As the industry evolves, what new trends or innovations in event management excite you the most?

The integration of sustainability and technology has been a topic of discussion for some time, yet there remains significant work to be done and initiatives to be implemented, based on my observations. I am eager to learn, contribute, and gain further experience in this specific area.

Can you share any fun/ funny/ interesting/ learning experiences from Boxing Road to Tokyo event/ Paris 2024? 

I did enjoy working in the team and learning to navigate the accreditation system. The fun part for me was actually watching some boxing on stage and learning a bit more about this sport. I was particularly impressed by the judges monitoring system put in place by the IOC Boxing Unit team. 

Excited for what lies ahead for Paris 2024. Working on the historical Yves-du-Manoir stadium adds a significant emotional value to it.

Finally, for those considering a career in event management, particularly in sports, what advice would you offer based on your experiences?

+ Stay Physically Active: Engaging in sports and maintaining good physical condition is crucial. It prepares you to handle the stress and challenges of the role and enables you to respond promptly and effectively.

+ Volunteer: Seize any opportunity to volunteer. These experiences often provide invaluable learning opportunities that can significantly enhance your skills and knowledge.

+ Select Mentors and Colleagues Carefully: Choose your teachers, mentors, and colleagues wisely, sometimes relying on your instincts. The right guidance and support network can make a substantial difference in your career development.

Once again we thank Ana for taking time out of her busy days to share her story with us. We wish Ana and our team for Paris 2024 all the very best, good health, and joy in these very busy days.