(FILA Luxembourg S.à r.l.) FILA was once again in the international spotlight this past weekend at the KB Financial Group ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships, held at the Mok-dong Ice Rink in Seoul. FILA-sponsored athletes took home an impressive twelve medals, confirming our dominance as technical sponsors in the world of ice sports.

Thanks to the Dutch national team (Team NL), the FILA colors flew at the top of the podium five times, in addition to one silver and two bronze medals. The standout stars of TeamNL were Olympians Xandra Velzeboer and Suzanne Schulting, who has recently been signed as a FILA ambassador. Together they took six of the total eight medals won for The Netherlands.

In addition, TeamNL gave the event one of its most iconic moments (pictured) – coming in first, second, and third place for the 500 meters. The image of these three FILA-sponsored athletes receiving their medals is one for the history books – and of course our archive!

Sponsoring our own national athletes is a great source of pride. So naturally, we were also thrilled at the excellent performance by Pietro Sighel of the Italian national team who grabbed a gold and silver in 500 and 1500 meters (respectively) and helped win silver and bronze in the relays.

While she was in Korea, FILA was able to welcome Suzanne Schulting to our Seoul headquarters. While there, she met chairman Mr. Gene Yoon for a discussion on her exciting partnership with us. This is how winning relationships are formed; by close, direct contact and listening to how best we can serve the complex needs of today’s athletic talent.

All is all, the skating championships in Seoul were a living testimony of how investing in promising young talent is fundamental not just for their growth, but ours as well.

A strategy we are fully committed to, both now, and in the future!