Media and Personal Brand Management Training for Young Athletes at Oregon 26
At the Athletes Connect event held within the scope of the World Athletics U20 Championships, young athletes were briefed on media relations, the use of digital platforms, and strategies for building an authentic personal brand.
The 'Athletes Connect' panel held at the Oregon 26 World Athletics U20 Championships aimed to strengthen young athletes' interactions with the media and develop their skills in managing their personal brands.
Opening the event, New Zealand shot put champion Valerie Adams emphasized that athletes' off-field stance is just as important as their on-field success. Adams reminded athletes, 'you are a person first, an athlete second,' highlighting the importance of authenticity.
Sports commentator Rob Walker, journalist Denise Spann, and Meta representative Brittany Holloway, who participated in the panel, drew attention to the long-term benefits of athletes building trust-based relationships with the media. Walker noted that the internet is a double-edged sword, warning athletes to be careful when sharing digital content.
Meta representative Brittany Holloway suggested that athletes actively use social media platforms, especially tools like Reels, to tell their own stories. Experts stated that sharing personal stories instead of focusing solely on statistics will enable athletes to build stronger connections with fans.
Sources
- worldathletics.org · Link