We are excited to continue our Athlete & Influencer Programme spotlights with Özlem Yücelener, @ozi, a Munich-based open water swimmer and international marketing professional who travels the world for the sake of swimming in beautiful courses. She has also been a columnist for several digital and print media platforms, writing about sport, travel, and lifestyle, while organizing Swim & Yoga retreats that bring together movement, community, and travel experiences.
She has achieved Top 10 finishes at two World Masters Swimming Championships, placing 9th in both Japan (2023) and Singapore (2025). She is also the bronze medalist of the iconic Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race (2023), silver medalist of the Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race (2024), silver medalist of the Hellespont Swim (2025), and silver medalist of the 7K Megisti – Kaş Swim (2023), her longest open water swimming distance to date, where she swam from Greece to Türkiye.
We spoke to Özlem about her sporting background and what to expect at ISPO 2026.
1. Tell us a bit about you and your sporting background
My name is Özlem, and I am a white-collar athlete, working as a marketing professional with a passion for sports. Sports has always been a central part of my life since my coaching times to kids during the summer and winter camps. An active life built around sports and travel shaped my life style a lot; particularly swimming, through which I have been traveling the world for the sake of swimming in beautiful courses. Over the years, I have complemented swimming with skiing, running, sailing and outdoor activities. I participated in several international and local swimming championships as a medallist competitive swimmer and in five IRONMAN races as a relay team swimmer. In order to be able to do all of this with ease, of course incorporating strength into my daily routine has been essential too. For me, sports which taught me self-discipline, resilience, and consistency is not only about performance but also about well-being, progressing, creating great memories and stories to tell, while connecting with others.
2. What is your favourite sport
My favourite sport is by far open water swimming. I love the feeling of freedom during either swimming, skiing, running or cycling but especially in the water and the unique combination of endurance, technique, and mental focus it requires. It challenges both the body and mind while also providing a sense of calm and balance that I haven't found in any other sport.
3. What are you most looking forward to at ISPO
I am most looking forward to meeting inspiring athletes, innovators, and industry professionals from around the world. ISPO brings together people who are passionate about sport, health, and outdoor lifestyles, and I am excited to discover new trends, exchange ideas, and build meaningful connections within the global sports community.
4. If you could train with any athlete (past or present), who would it be?
If I could train with any athletes, I would choose Michael Phelps and Mikaela Shiffrin. As a swimmer, I have always admired Michael Phelps for his extraordinary discipline, mental resilience, and commitment to excellence. Mikaela Shiffrin inspires me with her consistency, humility, and ability to perform under pressure while continually pushing the limits of her sport. Both athletes demonstrate that true success comes not only from talent, but from dedication, perseverance, and a lifelong commitment to growth. Training with them would be an incredible opportunity to learn about both the physical and mental aspects of elite performance while observing their routines and daily lives.
5. How do you use your social media channels to connect with your audience?
I use mostly my Instagram to share my journey as a globetrotter athlete. I enjoy telling a story behind a travel or a race and communicate it with details. When I share especially swimming stories As someone who did not come from a swimming background since childhood, I try to show that consistency is the key to success. If I could achieve my goals through persistence and hard work, others can too. I also use my Instagram as a visual diary not only to share highs but also the lows because in the end I believe this is the essence of life. And my community says they get inspired to stay active and build a positive mindset from my way of communicating my moments.
6. What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you (fun fact!)
Hard to believe but due to my fear, I am still improving and working hard on jumping into the water from a starting block J and I am a big fan of gelato, it is like my superpower that I find so much joy in it so I can eat any time anywhere.
Have a platform and a love for sport? We'd love for you to join the programme!