In Conversation with Janika Judeika

When Janika Judeika walked into the Women’s Motocross World Cup in Bulgaria for the first time back in 2006, it was love at first sight.

Something inside her told her that this was where she was meant to be – even though she had no idea yet in what capacity or what that would look like. Fast forward almost two decades and Janika is the Director of the Women’s Commission for FIM Women and FIM Live and is also the Secretary General for the Latvian Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation as well as the Chair of the Ethics Commission for the Latvian Olympic Committee.

Janika was generous enough to spare some time for me recently for us to chat about the fascinating story that led her from the former to the latter, what her current roles involve, how this year has been for her, what she would say to women looking to get involved behind the scenes in motorsport and much more.

I hope you enjoy our conversation.

What first got you interested in motorsport?

When I look back at what first drew me into motorsport, it feels almost like a story that was meant to happen – unexpected, unplanned, but full of emotion.

In many ways, my path began the same way it does for many young girls: through the people around me. At the time, my boyfriend’s friend was racing motocross, and one day I joined them at a training session. That was the first time I truly discovered what motocross – and especially sidecarcross – was.

Around the same time, there was a girl in my school who was competing in motocross. She and I became close friends, and I started travelling with her to events – first in Latvia, and then across Europe. In 2006, I attended my very first international event: the Women’s World Cup in Bulgaria. I was just a spectator, wandering through the paddock with wide eyes, not knowing what the FIM was or how anything worked. But something magical happened that day. It was like love at first sight. I didn’t know what role I wanted, what position I could ever have, or where I might fit in. All I knew was that I wanted to be part of this world. The energy, the community, the emotions… I felt something that I couldn’t explain, but I couldn’t ignore either. I remember standing there and saying to myself, “I want to be here one day. I don’t know how, but I will somehow become part of this family.”

And that moment changed everything.

Now, nearly twenty years later – as the FIM Women’s Commission approaches its 20th anniversary in 2026 – it feels incredibly symbolic. The very same year the Commission was created was the year I attended my first international event…the year I fell in love with the sport that would shape my entire life.

That first spark of passion, that innocent curiosity, that emotional connection I felt as a young girl in the paddock – that’s what started my journey into motorcycling. And it remains at the heart of everything I do today.

Why did you want to get involved behind the scenes in the racing world?

There wasn’t one single reason I wanted to get involved behind the scenes in the racing world; it was a combination of passion, excitement, adrenaline, and the incredible emotions that motorsport gives you. My journey started very simply. I was just a spectator, cheering for a friend. But after that event, something inside me clicked. Back in Latvia, I began volunteering at her family’s track, and that’s truly where I grew up in this sport.

I started as a flag marshal, then became secretary of the races for national and later international events. Over time, I gained the experience and confidence to take on even bigger responsibilities, eventually becoming Clerk of the Course for international competitions like the FIM Sidecarcross World Championship and the European Quadcross championship.

What kept me in the sport wasn’t a long-term plan or a clear goal – it was the feeling that it gave me. The passion. The atmosphere. The sense of purpose that comes from helping make an event run smoothly, supporting riders, and improving the experience for everyone involved. It’s something difficult to put into words, and I think anyone who works in motorsport behind the scenes knows exactly what I mean. It’s in your heart.

For me, it has always been about contributing, making competitions safer and better, helping organizers, supporting riders, and constantly improving the quality of the events. That desire to help people, to uplift the sport, to make things better has been the driving force behind every step of my journey.

And that’s how I ended up where I am today. Not through a plan, but through passion-and by following the path that felt right every step of the way.

You have a number of fascinating roles but first, tell me about your role as the Director of the Women’s Commission for FIM Women and FIM Live, what it entails and how you got into the role.

My path to becoming the Director of the FIM Women’s Commission has been shaped by many years of dedication, learning, and hands-on experience across different levels of sport. I began as a volunteer, taking on various responsibilities that helped me to understand sport from the ground up. Working as Assistant Secretary General within the Latvian Motorsports Federation gave me valuable insight into administrative structures, and later myself serving as Secretary and even in the clerk of the course position at World Championship events in Motocross and Sidecarcross. This all provided me with essential international experience. My Jury President/Delegate, Instructor experiences in FIM/FIM Europe Motocross commissions were crucial too.

My academic background also played a key role. Completing an International Master’s degree focused on International Sports Organisations and Administration – through an IOC-accredited programme – equipped me with the knowledge and confidence I needed to pursue leadership roles. After nearly a decade of involvement with FIM Europe and the FIM Motocross Commissions, I felt ready to step out of my comfort zone and contribute more directly to supporting women in motorcycling.

As Director of the Women’s Commission, my mission is to empower women, promote inclusivity, and create meaningful opportunities within the sport. Our work focuses on three key objectives:

1. Increasing the participation of female athletes.
2. Ensuring fair and equal representation of women across all levels of the sport.
3. Encouraging more women to take on leadership and decision-making roles within national federations and commissions.

In this role, I ensure that our strategic goals remain on track while fostering strong collaboration across the FIM community. I (our Commission) work closely with CONUs, FMNs, Commission Directors, and a wide range of stakeholders – acting as an advisor, mentor, and advocate for gender inclusion. My responsibilities also include contributing to FIM’s long-term strategy, promoting inclusive communication, supporting educational initiatives, and building connections throughout the global motorcycling network. I continuously monitor trends and developments to ensure that our initiatives are effective and forward-looking.

Above all, I aim to serve as a visible and trusted representative of the FIM’s values. My goal is to inspire future leaders, strengthen the voice of women in motorcycling, and reinforce the sport’s commitment to equality, integrity, and representation at every level.

You’re also the Secretary General for the Latvian Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation – a bit different – tell me about this.

Yes, as a Secretary General of the Latvian Boxing and Skeleton Federation, it’s a bit of a different job! It’s more related to the administration work, but then at the same time, of course, it’s also about the strategy and the work planning for the short and the big cycles.

As you know, bobsled and skeleton are Olympic sports and all the planning we usually do is for the four and eight years to properly prepare for the Olympic Games. So, I was myself a bobsled athlete back in the 2007 to 2009 seasons, and somehow bobsled and motorsport was, and still is, part of my life. They both own my heart!

So, one side of the heart is for motorsport and the other is for bobsled. After my sport career, I was asked to come to the Federation again and assist for the World Cup organization for the bobsled and skeleton in Latvia, based on my experience in the motorcycle sport and the major events we were hosting in Latvia, like MXGP, MXGP Nations, Motocross World Championships for the sidecar cross, and various different other FIM or FIM Europe events.

I received the proposal to become a part of the Federation, and step by step, year by year, I started my job as Secretary General. And, you know, this work, I would say, really helps me also for the FIM work, because in this job, I’m working closely with the government, with the National Olympic Committee, with the Latvian Olympic Unit, and various different organizations, which helps because it really takes a lot of knowledge and experience on how to deal with the various different stakeholders. And this definitely helps me for the work in the FIM, because as a Women’s Commission, we are working with all the FIM commissions, with various different promoters, and the other stakeholders with the National Federation.

And the work in a Federation as Secretary General is, I would say, the same as in the other FIM member federations, just related to the different sports, but then the structure, the way of working, the administration, all these things are quite similar, just the specific things are different. And this work is helping me to balance both works, because I can learn from the work here, to take many things to my work as a director for the FIM, and vice versa.

Then my day-to-day work is related in close work with the athletes, with the coaches, like I said, with the government, with the Olympic Committee, with the International Federation, which also helps me to better understand the International Sports Federation work, which also, again, helps me for the FIM work, because I can see how other international federations are working. And in this case, specifically to diversity, equality, inclusion, and how they work with women’s sport, etc.

So, I would say this is kind of an additional…benefit for that. So, yes, and I’m working as Secretary General and at the same time I’m also organising, and I am the manager of the World Cup Bobsled and Skeleton organisation in Latvia, Sigulda. So, yes, it’s very multitasking work, and I can take a lot and learn a lot to make my work better as a director for the Women’s Commission. At the same time, thanks to this work, I also was involved in the National Olympic Committee level. So, I was nominated for the Ethics Commission a few years ago, and now, last year, I was appointed as a chair of the Ethics Commission, and actually the first female chair for the ethics.

You’re on the Chair of Ethics for the Latvian Olympic Committee.
Tell me about this too.

Over the past four years, my involvement with the National Olympic Committee has grown significantly. I first joined as a member of the Ethics Commission, and last year, when I became Secretary General, it opened the opportunity to apply for individual membership in the Olympic Committee. I was appointed as Chair of the Ethics Commission becoming the first woman to hold this position in my National Olympic Committee. This role has been extremely valuable, as ethics is closely connected to the work I do in FIM. The experience, contacts, and insights I gain at the national and IOC levels support my responsibilities within the FIM, helping me know where to go and whom to consult for many different questions.

At the same time, I am able to bring best practices and successful examples from the FIM into our national structures and bring something back – and learning all the time too! I am also proud that, since last year, Our National Olympic Committee established a Gender Equality Commission within the National Olympic Committee. My work as a FIM Womens Commission Director has been beneficial as well as I could bring something back to shaping its development, as I can share initiatives from the FIM while also learning from the Commission and taking some notes, creating a strong, mutually supportive collaboration.

How has 2025 been for you?

2025 has been a really active year and I believe we’ve boosted the FIM Women’s Commission!

Our main projects for this year were different. The main project was the FIM Future Leaders Program in cooperation with the FIM Academy about the future leaders in the FIM. With the FIM She Leads Mentorship Program, we developed a mentorship program for 2026.

We already allocated the mentors and now we are waiting for the board’s decision, but we are hoping that next year we will launch the FIM She Leads Mentorship Program.

Regarding the main sporting projects, we did organize training camps in cooperation with the sporting commissions like MXGP Women’s Academy in France, Women’s Speedway Academy in Croatia, and MX Track Walks during the MXGP and WMX in Spain, Germany, and Australia. FIM Speedway Gold Trophy was one of the main sporting focuses in cooperation with the Track Racing Commission because we have actively been working for the last two years to establish this trophy and as we know next year we go for the World Cup already and again we need to push hard for the Women’s World Championship in 2027.

The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship was also one of our main focuses this year. Together with the Track Racing Commission, we did our best to establish the championship in its second year and we tried to support from our side as much as possible to speak with the riders, with promoters, etc. to understand how better we can make this championship and also to analyse what has been done good.

Then the FIM Women’s Enduro Junior World Cup was a series that was also new this year and together with the Enduro Commission as well we worked hard to think about the strategies that we can use to establish this championship for the next year, make it stronger and attract more and more youth joining this discipline.

Regarding the awareness programs, we did various awareness campaigns like International Women’s Day, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Workshops for our national federations, FIM Sustainability week digital campaign – Empower the Women. We campaigned too where we showcased the women in FIM leadership positions at various different levels.

We also did a webinar series focusing on one of our commission focus areas, the Fair and Equal Portrayal. So we organized three portrait webinar series and explained what we are doing, why it is important, what to do better and we also presented in various FIM events which is really important because we need to closely work again with our federations.

We are doing an extremely good job and we really boost the Women’s Commission in 2025 and we really believe we are going in the right way. I am thankful to our commission for working as a strong team.

What has been your favourite moment from your career in sport/motorsport so far?

I have experienced many wonderful moments throughout my career in sport and motorsport, so it’s hard to choose just one. But the moments that touch me the most are the ones where I realize I have truly helped someone – quietly, sincerely, and without expecting anything in return.

Very often, you support someone with advice, guidance, or encouragement. Sometimes you even have to be a little strict, because you want them to grow. And in that moment, they might not fully understand why you are pushing them. But then months later, sometimes half a year, sometimes even longer, that same person comes back and says, “You were right. Thank you. You helped me.”

Those moments are incredibly powerful for me. Not because I need gratitude, but because it shows that what I did made a real difference in someone’s life. It’s a reminder that the challenges I went through myself now allow me to support others on their own journey. Knowing that someone feels stronger, more confident, or more capable because of something I said or did – that is what fills my heart.

So my favourite moments are these quiet, emotional ones. When you realize that your guidance mattered, that you were someone they could trust, and that you helped them take a step forward. That feeling of having made a positive impact is something truly special, and it’s what continues to motivate me every day.

On the flip side of that, what has been the most challenging obstacle for you to overcome?

When I look back, two moments stand out as the most challenging obstacles I’ve had to overcome – one within sport and one far beyond it.
The first was during my final race as Jury President for the Sidecar World Championship. I had to make a difficult decision alongside my colleagues, a decision that ultimately went to appeal. It was a defining moment for me. I questioned myself endlessly-Did we make the right decision? Was my judgment correct? Had I overlooked something, etc.?

And because the case involved the reigning World Champion, the pressure was even greater.
Waiting for the outcome of the appeal was emotionally exhausting. I carried the weight of responsibility very personally. But when the Judges Commission confirmed that our decision was correct, it wasn’t just a win for the case – it was a deeply personal victory. It gave me the confidence to trust my expertise, my experience, and my ability to make tough decisions under pressure. It taught me to stop doubting myself and to stand firmly behind my knowledge and integrity. That moment strengthened me in a way I didn’t expect.

The second challenge came when I stepped into the role of Women’s Commission Director. Suddenly, I was far outside my comfort zone. I was no longer working only in motocross – now I was dealing with every discipline, every commission, every promoter, and riders from all over the sport. I had to build new relationships, create trust, and prove that the Women’s Commission had value and deserved respect across the FIM.

Breaking the ice was not easy. There were moments of uncertainty, moments when I wondered whether I could truly unite so many different people and disciplines. But I pushed forward with honesty, transparency, and a genuine desire to collaborate. Over time, we built real connections, real friendship, and real cooperation.

Today, when I look at what we have achieved – new events, new disciplines, new grassroots programmes, greater visibility for women in motorcycling, and stronger representation at every level – I feel incredibly proud of our achievements. If you ask any of my colleagues now, they will tell you we have built a solid bridge between the Women’s Commission and the wider FIM community. And that bridge keeps growing stronger.

These challenges shaped me. They pushed me, tested me, and ultimately helped me grow into the leader I am today. And perhaps the most emotional part is knowing that stepping through these difficult moments meant opening doors for more women to follow. That makes every struggle worth it.

What are your ambitions for the future?

When I think about my ambitions for the future, they are deeply connected to the work we started three years ago. At the beginning of this mandate, we created a long-term strategy and set gender equality and inclusion goals that lead us all the way to 2030. We designed these not as quick fixes, but as a roadmap for real, sustainable change in motorcycling.

My strongest ambition is to stay the course – to continue leading this journey until 2030 so I can witness the full impact of what we have started. We began with a newly formed commission, with more than half of the members joining for the first time. It took time to understand each other, to build trust, to find our collective direction. Because for me, leadership is not about one person steering the boat – it is about the entire crew rowing together. And now, after three years, I can proudly say that we have truly accelerated the visibility, development, and value of women’s sport in motorcycling. We have laid strong foundations, achieved meaningful results, and proven that our strategy works. But our mission is far from finished. There is still so much potential ahead – new opportunities, new athletes to empower, new barriers to break.

Next year is an election year, and of course, nothing is guaranteed. To continue, I will need the trust and support of my national federation, the FIM leadership, and the wider community. But if they believe in my vision and in the progress we have already made together, I would be honoured and motivated to lead the Women’s Commission for another four years.

My ambition is simple yet powerful: to complete the work we started, to drive our strategy forward, and to ensure that every woman and girl in motorcycling feels represented, supported, and empowered. I believe deeply in this mission. And if given the opportunity, I will continue dedicating my energy, passion, and leadership to shaping a more inclusive and inspiring future for women in our sport.

Do you ever have time to relax and if so, what do you like to do?

Finding time to relax can be challenging with the demands of my work, but I try to make the most of the moments I do have. My biggest priority is spending quality time with my family and my two children. Weekends are usually reserved for doing things together, going on small trips, or planning holidays where we can really reconnect. Whenever possible, I also take my kids with me to events. It allows them to see what I do and lets us share those experiences together.

One of my personal passions is beach volleyball. I train twice a week, and those two hours are my true reset. It’s just me, the sand, the ball, and the people on the court. It clears my mind and gives me energy.

And recently, after nearly 18 years of saying “one day,” I finally decided to get my motorcycle licence! This summer, I completed it and officially became a rider myself. For now, it’s just for leisure, but it has opened a whole new world for me, one that connects me even more deeply to the sport I work in.

These moments, family time, beach volleyball, and riding are how I recharge, stay grounded, and find balance in a very busy life.

Were you ever involved in sport as an athlete and if not, what did you always think you’d love to try that maybe you didn’t?

Yes, I was very much involved in sport as an athlete. I competed in bobsleigh, and at that time my biggest dream – the dream that fuelled every training session, every sacrifice – was to one day compete in the Olympic Games. That goal was the heart of my sporting journey.

But life often gives us unexpected challenges. In 2008, during the World Cup in Cortina d’Ampezzo, we crashed. It was a serious accident, and I broke one of my vertebrae. That moment changed everything. Physically and emotionally, it forced me to step away from the sport I loved. And with that, the dream of competing at the Olympics slipped away.

It was incredibly difficult to accept. For a long time, it felt like a chapter that ended too soon, like a story that never reached its final page.
But with time, I realised something important: even though I never stood at the Olympic Games as an athlete, I had not lost the Olympic dream. I simply found a different path toward it – one that allowed me to contribute in another way, as a leader, a mentor, and an advocate for others who are chasing their own dreams.

Today, the work I do gives me a profound sense of purpose. I help open doors for athletes, especially women, so they can have opportunities I didn’t have the chance to fulfil. In a way, every time I support someone toward their goals, I feel like I’m honouring that younger version of myself who once hoped to race down an Olympic track.

So while my Olympic dream didn’t come true in the way I imagined, it transformed into something even more meaningful: a mission to help others reach their dreams- and to ensure that no barrier, no injury, no setback can silence their potential. And that, to me, is its own kind of victory.

What would you say to women looking to get involved more behind the scenes in motorsport?

To any woman who wants to get involved behind the scenes in motorsport, my biggest message is: don’t be afraid to take that first step.

I often see women doubting themselves, overthinking, checking every detail a hundred times before deciding whether they are “ready.” But the truth is: you don’t need to be perfect to start. If you wait until you feel 100% prepared, you might never move. Meanwhile, men will often apply or step forward even when they only meet a portion of the requirements – and that confidence is something we deserve to embrace as well.

My advice is simple: just go for it. Try. Take the chance.

Mistakes are part of the journey, and every step you take, successful or not, will teach you something valuable. I say this because I’ve lived it myself. There were so many moments in my early career when I doubted myself, questioned whether I deserved an opportunity, wondered if I was capable enough. And every time, there was someone who encouraged me, supported me, pushed me forward when I wanted to step back. Having people you can trust and ask for advice is incredibly important – so don’t hesitate to reach out, ask questions, and learn from those who have walked the path before you.

If you love this sport, if you feel passion for it, then fight for your place in it. The world is changing, opportunities are growing, and there is a real need for women’s perspectives, leadership, and talent in every part of motorsport.

So to every woman listening: Believe in yourself. Take the risk. Use your voice. You are stronger than you think, and your contribution is needed. Don’t give up. The future of motorsport is big enough for all of us-and it’s waiting for you.

Thank you to Janika for taking the time to chat.

Author: Thiemo Albers-Daly