I<\/abbr>n a year marred by the spread of Covid-19, government lockdowns and economic struggles, members of the Forbes<\/em> 2021 30 Under 30 Europe Sports & Games list reminded us just how impactful leadership can be in times of crisis. This select group chose not to rest on their laurels (in these crazy times, none would be knocked if they had) and continued to fight long-standing issues, such as representation, diversity, gender equity and child hunger, which was amplified by the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n
Manchester United\u2019s Marcus Rashford<\/strong> sprang into action almost immediately after the pandemic exacerbated an issue close to his heart \u2013 child hunger and poverty. At just 23 years old, the star striker confidently campaigned the British Government into policy reforms that guaranteed 1.7 million children access to vital food sources during the pandemic. Rashford, who has scored 10 club goals this season for the Red Devils, also raised more than \u00a320 million through food charity FareShare, secured funding for 15 youth centers and is writing a series of children\u2019s books.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarcus' selflessness is very special,\u201d says SC Bern General Manager and 30 Under 30 Judge Florence Schelling.<\/p>\n\n
Israeli bobsled star Adam Edelman<\/strong> might well be at the other end of the fame spectrum compared to a Premier League football star, but this MIT graduate who taught himself the dangerous art of skeleton bobsled from watching YouTube videos has used his platform to campaign against bullying as an advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in sport. Despite not having heard of him, our judges found Edelman\u2019s story compelling.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam presents a perfect blend of sports values: determination, competitiveness, great skills, and social awareness,\u201d says Pixellot CEO and 30 Under 30 Judge Alon Werber. \u201cAnd adds some entrepreneurship spirit to the blend.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the business side of the sport world, Anna Chanduvi<\/strong>, Facebook\u2019s sports media partnership guru in the EMEA region, has balanced her day job with founding WBR Network, a social-first production company championing women in sports, and Sport Equity, an NGO promoting gender equity in the industry. Aston Villa and England defender Tyrone Mings, a list-maker in 2020 who came back to judge the 2021 list, described Chanduvi\u2019s extracurricular work as an \u201camazing initiative\u201d adding, \u201cAnna has demonstrated a real drive to be right at the front of social change and business excellence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
The era of \u201cstick to sports\u201d continues to fade, with more stars using their fame to positively impact society, says Werber. He adds, \u201cRecognizing these activities by us, the judges, in our ratings is sending a strong message that in our generation, social responsibility and activism, and not only championships and record breaking, is a fundamental part of being an admired sport star.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chelsea\u2019s Danish goal-getter Pernille Harder<\/strong>, a two-time UEFA Women\u2019s Player of the Year, LGBTQ+ rights advocate and a member of Common Goal, a social activism group in football, is one living example of that sentiment. Rugby star Maro Itoje<\/strong> of England and Saracens has also lived up to the call, tackling issues on identity and winning praise for articulating what it is to be both Nigerian and English in a fiercely patriotic sport. Mings calls Itoje a \u201cdriver for change\u201d in a sport that\u2019s tough to nudge in that direction.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is difficult in rugby to tackle diversity because as a sport, it's definitely not as progressive as football and certainly not as open to change,\u201d Mings says. \u201cMaro has demonstrated his social awareness multiple times and I think will go on to be a very key figure across the world of rugby, politics and business.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\u201cSocial responsibility and activism, and not only championships and record breaking, is a fundamental part of being an admired sport star.\u201d <\/p>\n