The second module of the ISSF Media training pilot project has taken place in-person in Cairo, during the ISSF World Championship Rifle/Pistol.
It follows the first module, held online, that gave a general overview about the importance of the media, what journalists look for when covering the sport and how to best use social media as an athlete. This time, a selected number of athletes had the opportunity to focus on interviews, especially the ones taken in the mixed zone at the end of each event final.
Jamie Stangroom, ISSF presenter, hosted the session. In his introduction, he spoke about what a mixed zone is, the purpose of it and then passed to Head of Media Relations and Operations Juliana Daguano, who gave more details about how the mixed zone is managed specifically in the ISSF competitions. Daguano´s section was followed by live media training with Finland´s athlete Aleksi Leppa, who spoke to Stangroom in a simulated interview. His replies were then analysed by Jamie, who gave him tips and instructions on how to best reply to the questions.
Aleksi Leppa was able to learn how to improve his interviewing skills in a recorded sessionThe session was recorded to be watched by the ones that could not attend it in person, which you can access through the ISSF Academy. Those who have not yet registered for media training must register here to access the training videos, which can be found here once registered at the ISSF Academy.