Today she deserves to hear a lot of beautiful, kind words, which should warm her big heart. She deserves to be surrounded by colleagues and friends, who can't imagine judo without Lisa.
Elisabetta Fratini, from the IT team said, ‘’We met 30 years ago at a competition, where Lisa was a coach and since then we have been friends. For me, she is more a friend than a colleague, because of that I like to work with her. Wherever she is, the energy spreading from her is incredible and positive and it affects all the people around her. Everyone in her company feels heard and important.
We travel together, work together, have parties also together and love all the interesting things that friends do in good and in bad times.”
“Lisa is a lovely person. She has time for everything: to work hard managing the tournaments, to pay attention to every detail and also to focus on everyone’s feelings. Lisa gives her attention to every IJF member and knows all about her job.
She has a lot of beautiful personal values and shows people that judo is, for sure, a big friendly family. I wish her health, good energy and all the happiness. It’s a pleasure to work by her side and I hope that we will continue to work together in the future,” mentioned Antonio Castro, IJF Ambassador and IJF Doctor.
Nicolas Messner, IJF Media Director explained, ‘’I’ve known Lisa since the Olympic Games in 2012 and from the first day we met I felt that she was an extraordinary professional. Lisa is very friendly, smiling, precise and demanding, which is good for the organisation. She is the one who always is happy to be here, to support others and to find the right solution. Her ears are always ready to listen and she will give a hand to help anyone who needs it, willingly. Judo and especially judo events wouldn’t be so great without her. I wish her all the best, a lot of success and a continued great life in judo and outside of it. Be happy, Lisa!”
Corina Ilic, from the IT team, declared, “She’s an amazing human being. You can always know that Lisa is here for you, anytime you need it.”
‘’Lisa is a good teacher, who can always help, explain, fix the mistakes. She is very disciplined and likes when everything is in the right place. She loves life, IJF staff and children. I wish her a long life with lots of health and joy,” said Abdullo MURADOV, her assistant.
Claudiu Chimoiu, IJF Floor Manager noticed, ‘’Lisa is my family outside of my family. I spent a lot of time with her, more than with most others. We were together on lots of flights, at competitions and inspections. We know each other so well that when we have to make a decision, an important choice, we don’t need to discuss it, because both of us already know the answer, we feel it.
She is very simple in her manner and never puts herself above others. She talks with staff not like a boss, but like a colleague and friend. She knows how to interact with people and she can influence and inspire them. For me, Lisa is like a sister, who will always support me. I wish you to remain the way you are: forever optimistic, forever funny, forever encouraging.”
Those are only a few testimonies. Hundreds of people would say the same. On behalf of all the judo family we wish her all the best, a lot of success, health, happiness and the opportunity to meet more good and devoted friends! Thank you, Lisa, for all the work you did, for all the good words you said and for all the happiness you offered!
PS “I* proof-read this sweet article, knowing you would be shy about it, but, even though you might have wanted me to make it less emotional, I chose to leave everyone’s words exactly as they wanted them. Some days you have to accept the love your friends need to show you. Happy birthday, Lisa.”
* Jo Crowley, IJF Media department
Prepared by Irina Florescu, IJF Media