ISPO, the leading global trade fair for the sport, winter and outdoor industries, announce that Olympic Legend Allyson Felix will join the speaker line up at the ISPO Leaders Summit on Tuesday 3rd November. This comes as part of a €3-million commitment to the development of ISPO, with €1 million specifically invested into a world-class content program with renowned experts and industry figures.
The ISPO Leaders Summit is a high level forum preceding the main expo, designed to deliver strategic insight and peer exchange to an audience of senior executives, policymakers and industry leaders from across the global sport, outdoor and winter ecosystem.
Allyson, the most decorated track and field athlete in history, with a record 20 World Championship medals and 11 Olympic Games medals, will discuss her career, the development of her female-specific footwear brand Saysh, athlete agency Always Alpha, and the stories and motivations behind each. The conversation will also include insight on her retirement and subsequent return to elite competition, as part of an aim to qualify for the 2028 Olympics in her hometown of LA.
Allyson will join Jimmy Chin (Filmmaker and Mountaineer), Celine Del Genes (Decathlon, Global Game Changers), Hap Klopp (Founder, The North Face), Professor Laura McAllister (Vice President of UEFA), Andy Rubin (Deputy Chair, Pentland Group), and Pia Heidenmark Cook (Former Group Chief Sustainability Officer Ingka/IKEA).
For 2026, ISPO relocates to the RAI Amsterdam from Munich, following the acquisition of the brand by Raccoon Media Group. This co-location means ISPO joins sister show the International Running Expo (IRX) this November, and Allyson will also speak at the B2B running show on the topic of women-centric product design.
“Allyson represents the visionary leadership we want to spotlight at the ISPO 2026 Leaders Summit, with her impact extending far beyond athletic achievement. Allyson is a powerful voice for female sports, as well as innovation and advocacy, alongside her unparalleled sporting CV. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the Summit as we bring together the future of the global sports industry” said Mike Seaman, Group CEO at Raccoon Media Group.
Felix says about joining the ISPO speaker line-up “I’m excited to share my knowledge and insights as an athlete and entrepreneur and to hear from others in the space, while making some invaluable industry connections through both ISPO and IRX.”
We are excited to continue our Athlete & Influencer Programme spotlights with Donna York, @climate_social_club, an Austria-based outdoor enthusiast and climate storyteller from Atlanta, USA, focused on making the outdoors more inclusive, accessible, and welcoming for all.
Through climate workshops, community events, and her podcast The Unheard Climate Voices, she creates spaces where more people—especially those often left out of outdoor culture—can connect with nature and each other. Her work blends sustainability with storytelling to challenge who the outdoors is “for” and to open it up to new voices and experiences.
We Spoke to Donna about her connection with the outdoors, and what she is excited to see at ISPO this year.
I’m a sustainability expert and climate communicator with a background in building inclusive spaces, especially in the outdoors. My connection to sport isn’t traditional or competitive, it’s rooted in access, community, and storytelling. I’ve used outdoor activities as a way to bring people together and rethink who gets to belong in these spaces and learning about nature. For me, movement and nature go hand in hand, and I’ve spent years helping others feel more confident stepping into both.
Hiking, hands down. It gives me everything I need: challenge, reflection, and a reset. There’s something powerful about being out on a trail, especially when you don’t see many people who look like you. It feels like reclaiming space in a quiet but meaningful way
I’m really excited about the conversations. ISPO brings together people who are shaping the future of sport, and I’m especially interested in where sustainability, innovation, and inclusion intersect. I want to see how brands are moving beyond performative commitments and actually creating access for underrepresented communities.
Serena Williams. Not just for her athleticism, but for her mindset. The discipline, the resilience, the way she’s navigated spaces that weren’t built for her. I’d want to understand how she stays mentally strong and grounded under pressure.
I use my platforms to tell stories that don’t usually get told, especially around climate, identity, and the outdoors. Whether it’s through my podcast or visual storytelling, I try to create content that feels honest and accessible. It’s less about perfection and more about building a real connection, starting conversations, and making people feel seen.
I‘ve been obsessed about Korean culture since I was 15. yeah, Kpop and everything. In my free time I just sing old Korean songs and cook Korean vegan food.
We can’t wait to welcome Donna to the Expo this November! Don’t forget to register for your ticket to attend.
Have a platform and a love for sport? We'd love for you to join the programme!
We are thrilled to kick off our Athlete & Influencer Programme spotlights with Stuart Dick, @gbscotland, a Scottish cyclist and storyteller exploring the connection between people, places, and riding.
Through his platform GBScotland, Stuart documents everything from local forest loops to long-distance challenges, capturing the quieter side of cycling that often goes unnoticed.
Alongside his riding, Stuart is passionate about building community and making cycling more accessible, encouraging others to discover their own adventures, no matter how close to home they begin.
We Spoke to Stuart about his involvement with sport and what he is excited about seeing at ISPO.
I’m a Scottish cyclist and content creator with a passion for endurance riding, storytelling, and building community through sport.
What started as a way to stay fit quickly became something much bigger, a way to explore Scotland, challenge myself, and connect with others. Over the years I’ve taken on sportives, long-distance endurance events, and more recently gravel racing, including preparing for events like The Rift in Iceland and Chase the Sun.
At the heart of it, I’m driven by inspiring others to get on a bike and experience what cycling can bring to their lives.
Cycling! Without a doubt.
I love the freedom of it. One minute you’re riding through quiet coastal roads, the next you’re deep in the hills or pushing yourself against the clock. It’s both personal and social at the same time.
There’s also something powerful about how simple it is, just you, the bike, and the road, but it can take you anywhere, physically and mentally.
Meeting people who share the same passion for sport, creativity, and innovation.
ISPO feels like a space where sport goes beyond performance, it’s about community, storytelling, and the future of how we experience sport. I’m especially looking forward to connecting with brands and creators who are pushing boundaries and finding new ways to inspire people to be active.
And if I’m honest, just soaking it all in and coming away with fresh ideas.
Wout Van Aert.
He’s the definition of an all-round athlete, strong on the road, incredible in cyclocross, and capable across so many terrains.
I’d love to experience that level of versatility and mindset up close, and probably get humbled pretty quickly in the process!
I try to keep everything real and relatable.
My content isn’t just about performance, it’s about the full experience: the early starts, tough conditions, the small wins, and the people you meet along the way. I share stories, not just stats.
I also like to make it interactive, asking questions, encouraging people to share their own journeys, and building a sense of community. If even one person feels inspired to get out on their bike because of something I’ve shared, that’s a win for me.
I have ADHD, and it’s played a big role in shaping who I am, both on and off the bike.
It’s taught me to channel energy into something positive, to stay curious, and to fully embrace the moments that matter. Cycling has become a huge outlet for that, giving me focus, clarity, and a sense of balance.
It’s not something I see as a limitation, more a different way of experiencing the world, and one that’s helped shape my creativity and drive.
We can’t wait to welcome Stuart to the Expo this November! Don’t forget to register for your ticket to attend.
Have a platform and a love for sport? We'd love for you to join the programme!
Applications for the ISPO 2026 Athlete & Influencer Programme are officially open, and we’re excited to welcome athletes, creators and influencers from across the sporting world to apply.
This programme is designed for individuals with an established platform in the sports, outdoor or active lifestyle space who want to connect with the global sporting industry under one roof. It offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with brands, decision-makers and innovators shaping the future of sport.
ISPO is the world’s most influential trade event for the sporting goods, outdoor and winter sports industries, representing the entire value chain from materials and manufacturing, brands and products to trade and customer experience.
Successful applicants to the Athlete & Influencer Programme will receive access to an exclusive package of benefits, including:
This programme is your chance to amplify your voice, grow your network and play an active role in the conversations shaping the future of sport.
German biathlete Laura Dahlmeier died in a serious mountain accident on Laila Peak in the Karakoram Mountains at an altitude of around 5,700 meters (Pakistan) on 28 July 2025. The 31-year-old devoted herself to alpine mountaineering after the end of her biathlon career. On her last tour, she was hit by a falling rock and succumbed to her serious injuries.
We are deeply saddened. The sports world has lost not only a true champion in Laura Dahlmeier, but also a kind and inspiring human being.
Dahlmeier was on an adventurous expedition with her rope partner and had already successfully climbed the Great Trango Tower (6287 m) on July 8, 2025. Laila Peak, a challenging and difficult-to-access pyramid, was to be the expedition's second goal. However, while abseiling down the steep descent, Dahlmeier was hit by a falling rock. Her rope partner immediately made an emergency call and tried in vain to reach her. However, due to the dangerous conditions with further falling rocks, she was unable to get any closer to the injured Dahlmeier.
Rescue was initially not possible due to the extreme weather conditions and the high risk of further rockfall. The rescue helicopter did not reach the scene of the accident until the morning of July 29. No signs of life were found during a flyover. The rescue operation was then temporarily suspended. On the evening of July 29, the rescue operation had to be finally called off due to darkness. Dahlmeier's rope partner remained unharmed and was accompanied back to base camp by other climbers.
Laura Dahlmeier's family announced in a statement that it had been their wish that no one would risk their lives to rescue her in the event of an accident. This wish has been respected and Dahlmeier's body is to remain at Laila Peak.
Laura Dahlmeier was a true gift to sport and to life. She did something no woman had done before at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, and that is gold in both the Sprint and Pursuit biathlon. IOC President, Kirsty Coventry said, “Laura made history at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics as the first female biathlete to win sprint and pursuit gold at the same Games edition. She will be remembered forever. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very difficult time.” She showed her skills on the world stage with elegance and grace.
What made Laura special was not just her medals, but her quiet strength. She stood on the podium with humility. She never bragged. She simply let her hard work speak. She was a star who stayed grounded, and reached heights not many could even think of. Her presence inspired thousands to believe in themselves and chase their own dreams.
In 2019, a year after her heroics at the Olympics, Laura surprised everyone by announcing her retirement at just 25. She had won it all. Yet she stepped away. Why? She wanted more from life than medals. On Instagram, her team wrote, “It’s worth standing up for your dreams … and always staying true to yourself.” She chose a life full of purposes.
Laura became a mountain guide. She spoke at events. She helped young people find direction. She did good things quietly. For her, real joy was in real connections, not in temporary fame or social media attention. She didn’t follow a script, she rather made and followed her own path to success.
I am looking for a certain challenge in life. Just going on a beach vacation would be too boring for me. Of course, the risk is higher on the mountain. But it gives me a lot of strength.
Nature was Laura’s first love, even before biathlon. She loved peaceful moments in the mountains, as she felt free there. Sadly, she died on July 28 doing what she loved most, i.e., climbing a 5,700-meter-high Laila Peak in the Karakoram Range.
Her management said in an official statement on Instagram,
We say goodbye to a great person. Laura enriched our lives … with her warm and straightforward manner.
She made people around her smile. She lifted others with her kindness and courage. One of her brand partners, Adidas, shared,
The Adidas family is filled with deep sorrow at the loss of Laura Dahlmeier. Laura reminded us that strength is not just measured in speed or medals, but in the courage to stand up, speak out, and care deeply. She left behind not only a trail of victories, but a world made better by her presence.
The sudden death of Laura Dahlmeier is a great loss for the sporting world. She will be remembered as a passionate athlete and person. The Dahlmeier family remembers her as a "great person" who enriched the lives of many with her warm and ambitious nature. Her family and friends are grateful for the shared memories that give them strength even in these difficult times.
The tragic news leave a lasting legacy in the biathlon world and also in mountain sports. The German Ski Association wrote:
She was not only one of the most successful athletes in the history of the German Ski Association, but also an extraordinary person full of joie de vivre, courage and warmth - on and off the track. She touched and inspired us with her passion for the sport, her down-to-earth attitude and her infectious laugh.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also had this to say:
Laura Dahlmeier was an exceptional athlete whose international successes in the biathlon not only fascinated and inspired winter sports fans. [...] She was an ambassador for our country in the world, a role model for peaceful, cheerful and fair coexistence across borders. That's how I will remember her, that's how many people in our country will remember her.
Thomas Weikert, President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation, said,
The DOSB and the whole of German sport mourn the loss of Laura Dahlmeier.
These words reflect the respect and admiration the Olympic champion earned from fans, athletes, and officials alike.
ISPO.com commemorates Laura Dahlmeier, her career, and her passion for the sport that inspired so many. At ISPO events, we met Laura and felt her spirit. We saw her love for sport and life. We heard her speak with wisdom and warmth. Her presence touched many. Her story gave hope. She lived with purpose and passion.
Laura’s life, from her early career to surprise retirement, reminds us: true greatness is being kind, honest, and humble. She modeled that with every step she took. She was not just a champion in sports, but outside the sports as well. She leaves behind a legacy of courage and compassion.
Our sincere condolences go out to her family, friends and everyone who was touched by her positive energy.
Laura, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You were more than a champion. You were a friend, a guide, a light. You lived life fully, with passion and grace, showing us that success feels better when it’s shared with kindness.
Your time with us was too short. Yet your light won’t fade at all. You’ll stay among us. An athlete who made history, and a person who made lives better without expecting anything apart from love in return.
Rest peacefully, Laura Dahlmeier. You will be deeply missed but never forgotten.