In today’s episode of the Sports Business Audio Experience, we’re thrilled to sit down with Valentina Mattioli, Travel Operations Project Manager for the Paris 2024 Olympics & Paralympics. Valentina’s journey in sports has been nothing short of inspiring, with a background that spans multiple countries and cultures. She graduated from CIELS University in Bologna, Italy with a bachelor’s degree in Translation & Interpretation, as well as Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations. Thanks to two prestigious scholarships, Valentina gained valuable experience studying abroad, which has shaped her approach to global event management.
In this insightful conversation, host Riley Sager and Valentina cover a range of topics, including:
- The critical skills Valentina developed during her time with FIBA, and how those have influenced her career
- Expert advice on building trust and cultivating meaningful relationships with potential employers and colleagues
- Her most significant operational takeaways from managing large-scale sporting events like the Olympics
Valentina’s love for sports, especially basketball, has been the driving force behind her career. She began her professional journey as an intern at FIBA while still completing her university studies. Over the course of three years, she became an integral part of FIBA’s global basketball operations, managing logistics and contributing to the success of major international events. Throughout the episode, she shares stories of her experiences on the ground and reflects on the challenges and rewards of working in such high-stakes environments.
Whether you’re looking to break into the sports industry or just fascinated by the behind-the-scenes of global sports events, this episode is packed with valuable insights from one of the industry’s rising stars.
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SHOW NOTES
- Why did Valentina choose to attend university, and what did she hope to gain from the experience? (2:17)
- Did Valentina always envision a career with FIBA while pursuing her studies? (4:29)
- What was it like for Valentina when she secured her FIBA internship? (6:10)
- What key skills did Valentina develop during her internship at FIBA? (7:33)
- How did Valentina approach working at professional sporting events? (9:30)
- What did a typical day at FIBA look like for Valentina? (11:22)
- How does Valentina handle challenges posed by language barriers? (12:20)
- What advice does Valentina offer for building trust and strong relationships with potential employers? (13:50)
- Who has been a key mentor for Valentina, and how has that mentorship impacted her career? (14:54)
- What were Valentina’s expectations going into NBA Summer League? (16:20)
- What’s it like to be surrounded by aspiring sports professionals at NBA Summer League? (19:00)
- How did Valentina prepare for the Paris Olympics & Paralympics? (20:30)
- What is it like operationally when you have a full year to prepare for an event? (24:11)
- Can Valentina share an example where she had to take initiative on a major project? (26:03)
- How did it feel for Valentina to witness the closing ceremonies? (30:30)
- What was Valentina’s biggest operational takeaway from the Olympics? (32:55)
- Were there any moments when Valentina could enjoy the Olympics as a fan? (34:35)
- What’s next for Valentina in her career? (36:22)
