Kersti Kaljulaid has spent much of her career navigating systems of power, governance and accountability. As the first woman to serve both as President of the Republic of Estonia (2016–2021) and now as President of the Estonian Olympic Committee, she brings a perspective shaped by leadership beyond traditional boundaries. Project Her Turn grew out of her conviction that equal opportunities in sport make it stronger, more dynamic and more resilient.
You were elected President of the Estonian Olympic Committee just over a year ago. Looking back on this first year, what has surprised you most about the world of sports governance?
I have been wondering how much time we spend listening to presentations and how little time is left for actual discussions. This concerns meetings of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) and the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), though fortunately not European Commission (EC)–organised seminars or other movements like Play the Game.
For someone familiar with European Union and United Nations working models, it feels like coming together, say, in Brussels for a summit, but where prime ministers mostly listen to what Antonio Costa and his staff have to say. Even at the United Nations General Assembly presidents speak, making it possible to follow global discussions in official venues.
Electoral processes take place without debates, each candidate is left on their own to deliver their plans to the electorate.
The governance side, therefore, is not something I admire. But the working groups, such as the AI working group at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and many others in which we participate from Estonia – are really good and useful.
In what ways does governance in the sports sector differ from governance in other sectors? As a leader, what have you had to adapt, or change compared to your earlier leadership experience?
Accountability in sports is often described very vaguely. Also, when we want to discuss issues such as the participation of Russian and Belarusian sportsmen, we can endlessly write letters, but these notifications do not lead to open debate—the caravan simply moves on.
Which qualities and skills does the sports community value? Based on your experience, how open are sports organisations to change and to adopting new governance and leadership practices?
National Olympic Committees(NOCs), which have quite often understood that there must be democracy, transparency and accountability in sports management, have adapted accordingly. They publish strategies and policy papers (for example, on youth sports in the Nordics) and actively engage and discuss with various stakeholders.
These discussions are sometimes very animated, especially when they concern gender issues, but nevertheless, these debates must take place if policymakers are to heed the sports community’s opinions.
You have previously said that there is no democracy in sports governance. Why do you believe it is important that sports governance becomes more democratic and how can this be achieved in practice?
For me, it is obvious that the debates we have at Play the Game, at the European Evening of Sport, or between NOCs and the EOCs are the ones that represent democratic values in sports management. Free discussion and consolidating common positions from varied opinions are practices we should also cherish at the EOC and ANOC level.
Statistics show that only around 10–15% (depending on the source) of leaders of European sports federations are women. What does this figure tell us? Do you see this as a problem, and how should sports leaders respond?
I guess this is the ratio we tend to see in many walks of life. Often, women find themselves in supporting roles, doing a lot of hard work, only to see the top jobs passing them by. I do not think the sports community is worse or better than society in general, but we should pay attention to actively promoting women’s leadership in sport as well.
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Kersti Kaljulaid served as President of the Republic of Estonia from 2016 to 2021. During her tenure, she made a significant impact both at home and internationally as a strong advocate for democratic values, the rule of law and international cooperation.
In 2024, Kersti Kaljulaid was elected President of the Estonian Olympic Committee. Her candidacy and programme focused on strengthening good governance in sport, increasing transparency and accountability, and fostering closer cooperation between elite sport, grassroots sport and wider society.