Matteo Zacchetti works at the European Commission since 1995. He spent almost all his professional life in the media or dealing with media and audiovisual policy related issues both in the private sector and at the European Commission.  A passionate of several sports – football, swimming, tennis, athletics - in 2019 he joined the Sport Unit where he is Policy Officer in charge of Professional Sport. He has been Visiting Professor in the School of International Relations of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. He holds a degree in Economics of the University of Genoa. 

I am Urška Žolnir, and my story is a testament to success, perseverance, and dedication to the sport of judo. As a child, I was exceptionally active and curious, preferring to climb trees and create my own sports world rather than sit at the piano, although I did play it. I fell in love with judo at the age of ten, and since then, I have remained loyal to it. 

My judo journey has been filled with challenges and triumphs. I proudly wear the bronze medal from the 2004 Athens Olympics and the gold medal from the 2012 London Olympics. As a competitor, I participated in three Olympic Games, and then I transitioned into coaching the men's Olympic team, where I used my knowledge and experience to help shape new sporting talents. 

My achievements also include numerous medals from European and world championships, which are the result of my hard work and unwavering determination. I have been chosen as Slovenia's Sportswoman of the Year, which is a great honor and recognition for me. 

In addition to my sporting career, I have also actively engaged in various leadership roles within the judo community. For several years, I served as the vice president of the Slovenian Judo Federation and was an active member of the marketing committee. The European Judo Union invited me to join its executive board, where I serve as one of the three sports directors responsible for the development of coaching, competition commissions, and the organization of cadet competitions and European championships in Europe. 

My journey has not been solely sports-focused. After the Rio Olympics, I started a family and successfully completed a degree in marketing, social media, and PR. Today, I am employed in the marketing department of the Slovenian Olympic Committee, and I am also the program director of the Slovenian House in Paris 2024, allowing me to continue shaping the world of sports and promoting the values of the Olympic movement. My journey is proof that hard work and dedication always pay off, and I am grateful for every moment of my sports and life journey.

Pia Ahrenkilde-Hansen is the Director-General of the Directorate-General for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (DG EAC) at the European Commission. Before joining DG EAC, she has served in various senior positions in the Commission, including as Director-General for Communication, Deputy Secretary-General and Chief Spokesperson of the European Commission. She has worked in the European Commission since 1995. Before that, she worked in an EU Public Affairs consultancy, and as a lecturer at the Copenhagen Business School, as well as a researcher and author.