Taekwondo athlete Aymen Achnine

Today, I had the opportunity to attend a highly educational and inspiring networking event organised by the NOC*NSF Athletes’ Committee, as the athlete representative of the Taekwondo Federation. The event took place at Papendal and was hosted in collaboration with NL Sporter. It was a valuable occasion to exchange experiences, learn from one another, and connect with fellow athlete representatives from various sports federations.

In a dynamic college tour-style session, Adam Bakker from NL Sporter engaged in an open conversation with former top speed skater and experienced athlete representative Douwe de Vries. Their honest stories about their experiences, challenges, and achievements showed how you can truly make an impact as an athlete representative within your sports federation.

We also worked together to discuss how we, as athlete representatives, can better represent our athletes and how we can strengthen the connections between the different Athlete Committees. The event offered plenty of space for exchanging ideas on effective communication, sharing best practices, and further developing our roles as athlete representatives.

As a perfect conclusion to the day, we visited the BMX World Cup, where we enjoyed spectacular races from the VIP stand. During this sporting intermezzo, we continued our conversations and shared experiences in a relaxed setting.

All in all, it was a valuable and inspiring day that not only provided new insights but also helped strengthen the network of committed athlete representatives.

I'm proud to announce that, as of today, I am supported by an incredible new sponsor: United Consumers! It feels amazing to know that this wonderful company believes in me and my Olympic dream. Top-level sports aren't only about talent, hard work, and perseverance, but increasingly about teamwork and support from strong partners who believe in our shared goals. Without their backing, Olympic ambitions simply aren't realistically achievable. That's why I am deeply grateful for United Consumers' support on this special journey!

United Consumers is a Dutch company that has been active since 2000 from its headquarters in Eindhoven. The company helps consumers save money on essential expenses like fuel, energy, health insurance, and mobile subscriptions. Their mission is clear: delivering high-quality services at the best possible price, giving people more freedom to enjoy what's truly important in life. With more than half a million participants, United Consumers has proven itself to be a reliable and stable partner committed to customer satisfaction and social responsibility.

The partnership with United Consumers not only provides me with financial support but also gives me a sense of trust and recognition. It motivates me every day to push harder toward achieving my goals and dreams. Together with United Consumers, I look forward confidently to the road ahead towards the Olympic Games, and I can't wait to celebrate our mutual successes!

From Moot Court Trainer to Student Assistant Research Support: A New Chapter

Since June 1st, I have started in my new role as Student Assistant Research Support at the Department of Public Law and Governance. This marks a wonderful new step in my development, following a valuable period as a moot court trainer within the same department.

As a moot court trainer, I greatly enjoyed guiding students in sharpening their advocacy skills. It was inspiring to see how they grew in persuasiveness, argumentation, and self-confidence. Collaborating with motivated students and faculty not only gave me energy but also provided an opportunity to further deepen my own legal knowledge and didactic skills.

In my new position as Student Assistant Research Support, I am shifting my focus from training skills to supporting research. This means I am involved in various research activities within the department. These include collecting and analyzing data, conducting literature reviews, and assisting with the preparation of publications and presentations. It is particularly exciting to contribute to academic work in this way and to witness up close how research is developed.

This new role aligns perfectly with my own studies in International and European Law, which I am pursuing within the same department. The themes and issues I encounter in my work as a student assistant directly connect to the topics I explore during my studies. It is a great opportunity to apply what I have learned in practice while further deepening my understanding of academic research in the field.

I am grateful for the trust placed in me by the Department of Public Law and Governance and for the opportunities I am able to seize here. I see the time ahead as a period full of learning, discovery, and contribution — and I look forward to continuing to share my experiences and insights.