LINA TAYLOR OLY
“Even when the world tells you “no,” you still have the power to choose your next move.”
Meet Lina Taylor, Olympian, impact strategist and CEO of HQImpact - where she coaches teams to lead with the same precision, grit and heart it takes to compete on the world stage. She has coached and inspired thousands of leaders in more than 300 global companies, guided by her motto, “If life doesn’t hand you opportunities, create them!” Lina’s work has been recognised with the IOC Climate Action Award.
LINA’S JOURNEY
“As a wide-eyed 5-year-old girl growing up in communist Bulgaria, I caught a glimpse of the Olympic Torch passing through my home town and it lit a fire in my heart.
Sport was one of the only avenues to create a better life, and I leaned in with all that I had.”
“I had my hopes dashed when a coach cut me from my team, saying ‘You don't have what it takes to play at the highest level.’
After a night of crying, I made a decision to go back, stand up to the coach, and bet on myself - a decision that changed the trajectory of my life.
Both of my parents have played a pivotal role in my journey in sport. My Dad was a professional rower, who instilled great work ethic in my sister and myself. Later in life, when her and I qualified and played in two Olympic Games in beach volleyball, we relied on this work ethic to rise to the elite level in this very challenging sport.
Our Mom showed us how to make the ultimate sacrifice — deciding to rent out our house and move to a small apartment, so that we can have an opportunity to play sports and get our education in America.”
SUSTAINABILITY IN SPORT
“Sports organisations have a powerful platform - and therefore a responsibility - to lead on environmental sustainability.
Through my work with the IOC and National Olympic Committees, I’ve seen how sport can activate communities, shift global conversations, and model what bold climate leadership looks like.
These organisations can set standards for sustainable events, empower athletes as climate ambassadors, and inspire millions through visible, values-driven action.”
When sport steps up, it shows the world that protecting our planet is not just a policy choice, but a cultural norm and a team effort we all share.”
SUSTAINABILITY AT PARIS 2024
“A powerful example of sustainability in sport comes from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which piloted some of the most ambitious sustainability practices ever attempted at a global sporting event.
One standout initiative was the massive reduction of single-use plastics, achieved by authorising refillable gourdes for spectators and athletes and installing more than 450 free water points across venues, supported by partners who deployed nearly 700 beverage fountains — a model that cut plastic use in half compared to previous Games.
Paris 2024 also introduced a 100% vegetarian food offering at the Concorde urban sports venue, the first in Olympic history, demonstrating how major events can shift cultural norms around sustainable food choices through scale and visibility.
These initiatives show how sport can be a living laboratory for climate solutions, proving that when the world is watching, sustainable choices can become the new standard.”
“Through my Olympic journey and now my work with leaders and athletes, I hope to show that adversity can become your greatest catalyst.
“The message I want to leave behind is simple: you can create opportunity, shape your path, and turn setbacks into springboards — not just in sport, but in life.”
