TURNING
COMPETITION
INTO
COMMUNITY.
Fromathletetoglobalsportbuilder.FormerDirectorGeneraloftheInternationalJudoFederationandPresidentoftheInternationalEsportsFederation.Twentyyearsconnectingcultures,federations,andathletesacross150countries.
TURNING
COMPETITION
INTO
COMMUNITY.
Fromathletetoglobalsportbuilder.FormerDirectorGeneraloftheInternationalJudoFederationandPresidentoftheInternationalEsportsFederation.Twentyyearsconnectingcultures,federations,andathletesacross150countries.
MILESTONES & MEMORIES
Paris Olympics
At the Paris Olympics, his presence reinforced an enduring vision built over two decades in international sport. Continued to champion the power of sport to inspire communities, connect cultures, and transform lives around the world.
Sport Forum Hungary
Participated in Sport Forum Hungary, contributing to high-level discussions on the future of international sport and governance. Shared insights on digital transformation and federation management.
World Esports Championship - Romania
Record-breaking participation from 130 Nations across all continents. Women CS:GO Champions shared the stage with Armin van Buuren, celebrating diversity in competitive gaming.
World Esports Championship - Bali
Organized the largest event in esports history with unprecedented reach and viewership. 3.4M hours watched, 650K peak viewers. Set a new standard for scale and professionalism.
Honorary Doctorate
Received Honorary Doctorate from United States Sports Academy in recognition of outstanding contributions to international sport development. Acknowledged leadership across traditional and emerging sports.
Director General, IJF
Promoted to Director General of IJF, the highest administrative position within the federation. Led modernization efforts overseeing branding, strategic partnerships, TV rights, IT strategy, and global expansion.
President, IESF
Became President of the International eSports Federation during a pivotal moment, marking a global milestone in professionalizing competitive gaming. Focused on athlete protection, fair play, and sustainable structures.
Chief Marketing & Media Officer, IJF
Returned to IJF as Chief Marketing & Media Officer, driving modernization of Judo's global brand and media strategy. Spearheaded broadcasting expansion and digital transformation.
President, US Esports Federation
Helped the organization gain official recognition from IESF and international legitimacy. Founded the Pan-American eSports Federation to expand the movement across the Americas.
Global Esports Summit
Keynote speaker at the Global Esports Executive Summit in Korea, sharing insights on federation building and sport governance. Helped cement his role as a thought leader in the rapidly evolving competitive gaming landscape.
President, RSportz
Founded RSportz as an entrepreneurial venture, providing comprehensive IT solutions for Federations and Organizations to digitize competitions and fan engagement. Innovation in sport extends beyond the field of play.
General Director, SportAccord
Became General Director of SportAccord, overseeing coordination among all international sports federations. Organized World Combat Games in St. Petersburg and World Mind Games in Beijing.
Director of Presidential Office, IJF
Promoted to Director of Presidential Office at the International Judo Federation. Oversaw strategic operations and coordination during a critical growth period for the sport worldwide.
First Olympics - Beijing
Works at his first Olympic Games in Beijing - a transformative moment revealing the unifying power of sport on the world stage. Realized his true passion: bringing people together through competition and shared excellence.
International Judo Federation - Assistant to President
Begins tenure with IJF as Assistant to President, a pivotal step into international sports administration. Helped transform Judo from Category E to C Olympic Sport, growing to 20 annual events.
BUILDING BRIDGES THROUGH SPORT
CurrentlylivingwithhisfamilyinHungary,borninRomaniaandraisedintheUnitedStates,VladMarinescu'slifehasbeendefinedbysport,discipline,andanunwaveringcommitmenttointernationalunitythroughcompetition.Fromayoungage,heexcelledasbothanathleteandaleader.AttheArmyNavyAcademyinCarlsbad,California,VladgraduatedasCadetCaptainandCompanyCommander,instillinginhimvaluesofdiscipline,responsibility,andservice.HelaterpursuedhisstudiesinbusinessandfinanceatOxfordBrookesUniversityintheUK,equippinghimselfwiththetoolstonavigatethecomplexworldofglobalsport.
Asanathlete,Vladbecameaseven-timeAmericanchampioninkarateandaJuniorOlympicchampioninwaterpolo,achievementsthatreflectnotonlytalentbutalsoresilience,perseverance,andadaptabilityacrossdisciplines.Hiscompetitivemindsettransitionedseamlesslyintotheworldofsportsadministration,wherehequicklyrosethroughtheranksoftheInternationalJudoFederation(IJF).
WhenVladfirstjoinedtheIJF,internationaljudoeventsweremodest:onecompetitioneverytwoyears,broadcastinonlyahandfulofcountries.Throughhisleadership,vision,andtirelesswork,thatlandscapetransformed.Today,theIJFproudlyorganizes19world-classeventsperyear,broadcastinover150countries—aleapthatturnedjudointoaglobalspectacle.
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Recognizedforhisenergy,strategy,andinnovation,VladwasappointedDirectorGeneraloftheInternationalJudoFederation,playingakeyroleinmodernizingthesport.Hedroveprogressineventorganization,sponsorship,marketing,televisionproduction,andrightsdistribution.HissuccessledtoabroaderroleatSportAccord,wherehecontributedtotherestructuringofinternationalsportsfederationsandguidedthedevelopmentoftherenownedSportAccordConvention.
ButVlad'simpactdoesn'tstopwithtraditionalsport.Withaforward-thinkingmindset,heembracedthedigitalera,becomingPresidentoftheInternationalEsportsFederation(IESF)andPresidentoftheUnitedStatesEsportsFederation(USEF).Inthisspace,hehasworkedtirelesslytounifythefragmentedesportsecosystem,advocatingforfairplay,recognition,andstructurewithinoneofthefastest-growingmovementsinmodernsport.
Formorethan20years,Vladhasdedicatedhimselftobridgingcultures,industries,andgenerationsthroughsport.Whetheronthetatami,intheboardroom,orbehindthescenesoftheworld'slargestsportingevents,hehasproventobeaforceofenergyandstrategy—aleaderwhosestoryisstillbeingwritten.
PREPARING FOR PURPOSE
Honorary Doctorate
2021United States Sports Academy
Recognized for exceptional contributions to international sport and leadership in the global sports community.
Oxford Brookes University
2003-2007Bachelor's Degree
Studied while working full-time for the European Judo Union, balancing academic excellence with professional responsibilities.
Army and Navy Academy
2001-2003Cadet Captain, Alpha Company Commander
Military academy education emphasizing leadership, discipline, and excellence. Graduated with honors while excelling in water polo.
TRUSTED TO LEAD
International Judo Federation
2021 - 2025Director General & Board Member
Led the complete modernization of Judo, overseeing branding, strategic partnerships, TV rights, IT strategy, and global expansion. Transformed the sport from 1 event every 2 years to 19 annual world-class events broadcast in 150+ countries. Worked at 5 Olympic Games (Beijing, London, Rio, Tokyo, Paris). Created the World Judo Tour series consisting of Grand Prix, Grand Slams, World Masters, and Judo Pro League. Established broadcasting partnerships including RMC Sport for France coverage.
International Esports Federation
2020 - 2023President
Increased budget and prize money 10x ($55,000 to $500,000). Organized Bali 2022 World Esports Championship - the biggest esports event in history with 3.4M hours watched and 650K peak concurrent viewers. United the fragmented esports ecosystem and grew membership from 70 to 130+ nations. Founded the Pan-American eSports Federation. Established partnerships with Asian Electronic Sport Federation, International School Sports Federation, and World Esports Consortium. Created dedicated commissions for Education, Tolerance, Athletes, and Publishers. Board grew 200% during tenure.
SportAccord (GAISF)
2013 - 2015General Director
Managed the umbrella organization for all International Sport Federations with a 25-person administration team. Organized World Combat Games 2013 in St. Petersburg (15 combat sports) and World Mind Games 2013-2014 in Beijing (5 mind sports). Launched Sports United - a weekly 15-minute sport news show broadcast on Euronews in 150 countries and 13 languages. Developed World Beach Games and World Urban Games concepts. Organized SportAccord Convention and IF Forum. Left organization with over $3.7M in reserves.
RSportz Inc.
2015 - 2019President
Founded and led sports technology company, responsible for global partnerships, investor relations, and strategic direction. Built the leading platform for sport organizations to manage memberships and events. Secured long-term partnerships with International Sport Federations representing over 150 million athletes. Managed day-to-day operations, business development, and organized multiple events through the platform.
United States Esports Federation
2018 - 2020President
Foundation board member and president of the United States recognized national governing body of eSports. United all stakeholders to protect athletes and promote sustainable esports development. Launched educational programs including 'Armour On' teaching responsible gaming through nutrition, physical health, and psychology modules. Organized events in cooperation with Amateur Athletics Union, established qualification circuit for World Championships, and managed Team USA participation. Gained official IESF recognition and founded the Pan-American eSports Federation.
European Judo Union
2005 - 2007Assistant to President
Beginning of international sport career while studying at Oxford Brookes University. Office staff 2003-2005.
BUILDING TOGETHER
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SportAccord (GAISF)
SportAccord is the global sports event and association representing international federations and organizations. It hosts the annual SportAccord Convention, a gathering of leaders across sport, business, and media to discuss innovation, governance, and the future of international sport. Vlad served as General Director, managing all member federations and organizing major multi-sport events. Under his leadership, the organization strengthened collaboration among federations worldwide, facilitating knowledge sharing and promoting best practices in sports governance and administration.
Euronews - Sports United
Euronews's Sports United is a daily pan-European sports show that united the continent through shared sporting moments. As the program's official executive producer and contributor, Vlad brought major sporting stories to millions across 16 languages and 160 countries. The program championed underfunded and under-covered sports, giving a voice to athletes from disciplines that rarely appeared on mainstream screens. Through expert analysis and storytelling, Sports United helped democratize sports coverage and ensured diverse sporting disciplines received meaningful airtime.
World Combat Games
The World Combat Games were Vlad's brainchild—a multi-sport event bringing together all martial arts and combat sports disciplines under one unified platform. This groundbreaking initiative addressed the fragmentation that separated similar sports and provided a global stage for disciplines often overlooked by mainstream media. The Games showcased judo, karate, wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, taekwondo, wushu, and more, celebrating their shared values of discipline, respect, and athletic excellence. Vlad conceived, developed, and delivered the inaugural edition, establishing an enduring model for inclusive multi-sport events.
World Mind Games
The World Mind Games were a pioneering multi-sport event created by Vlad to elevate intellectual sports onto the global stage. Featuring chess, bridge, draughts, go, and xiangqi, the Games celebrated strategy, intellect, and mental agility with the same rigor as physical athletics. Vlad's vision was to challenge perceptions of what constitutes sport and provide prestigious recognition for disciplines often undervalued in the sporting world. He conceived and organized this innovative competition, giving millions of mind-sport athletes worldwide a platform that honored their dedication and skill.
Olympic Games
Throughout his career, Vlad contributed to multiple editions of the Olympic Games, working behind the scenes in roles spanning broadcast coordination, team management, and event delivery. From Athens 2004 to London 2012, Beijing 2008, and Rio 2016, he helped ensure seamless operations at the world's greatest sporting event. His work ranged from logistical coordination to athlete liaison, demonstrating his versatility and deep understanding of complex multi-sport environments. These experiences reinforced his commitment to excellence, precision, and the unifying power of sport on the global stage.
Esuperliga
As founding director, Vlad established Esuperliga as the first professional esports league integrated into a traditional sports federation structure. This pioneering initiative brought competitive gaming under the governance of conventional sporting frameworks, legitimizing esports at an organizational and institutional level. Esuperliga bridged the divide between traditional and digital competition, creating pathways for gamers to be recognized as athletes and for esports to gain mainstream credibility. Vlad's leadership in this space positioned the league as a model for how traditional sports organizations can embrace and integrate emerging competitive disciplines.
HONORED TO RECEIVE
Honorary Doctorate
United States Sports Academy, 2021
Awarded for outstanding contributions to international sport administration and leadership in the global sports community.
"Next 10 Under 30"
Sport Business International
Featured as one of the sport industry's most promising young leaders under 30 years old.
Athletic Championships
Multiple Disciplines
Seven-time American Champion in karate. Junior Olympic Champion in water polo. Multiple tournament victories and team championships.
SHARING KNOWLEDGE
Lectures & Public Speaking
Guest lecturer and speaker at leading sports management institutions and international events, covering topics including Event Management, Broadcasting, Governance, Recognition, TV Rights and Media, Sponsorship, and International Federation Management.
AISTS Masters in Sport
Guest lecturer at the International Academy of Sports Science and Technology, the world's leading postgraduate program in sports management, delivering insights on international federation management and global sports governance.
FIFA Masters in Sport
Speaker at FIFA's prestigious executive education program, sharing expertise on broadcasting strategies, TV rights negotiation, and the business of international sport with future leaders of the sports industry, providing practical knowledge from global sport administration.
TIAS University
Lecturer at one of Europe's leading business schools, providing practical knowledge on sports event management, sponsorship activation, and the operational challenges of running international sports organizations.
MESGO
Contributing faculty for the Executive Master in Sport Governance program, teaching governance frameworks, ethical leadership, and best practices in international federation administration to senior sports executives.
University of Southern California
Guest speaker at USC's renowned Sports Management Program, delivering lectures on the intersection of traditional sports and esports, digital transformation, and the evolving landscape of international sports competition, preparing future leaders for the digital age.
International Sport Federations Forum
Regular speaker at the IF Forum, addressing federation presidents and secretaries general on topics including revenue generation, media rights strategy, and navigating the complex relationship between IFs and the Olympic movement.
SportAccord Convention
Keynote presenter at the world's premier gathering of international sports federations, sharing insights on multi-sport event organization, global expansion strategies, and the future of international sports governance.
International Esports Summit
Thought leader at major esports conferences worldwide, presenting on federation building, athlete protection, responsible gaming initiatives, and the path to mainstream recognition and Olympic inclusion for esports.
Global Esports Executive Summit
Keynote speaker addressing global esports development, federation building, and the professionalization of competitive gaming. Presented on sustainable growth strategies, athlete protection frameworks, and the evolution of esports governance worldwide.
Asia Pacific Broadcast Union
Expert speaker on sports broadcasting and media production, sharing knowledge on TV signal production, rights distribution strategies, and maximizing broadcast reach across diverse international markets and platforms.
Host City Conference
Speaker on major event hosting and city partnerships, sharing insights on organizing world-class sporting events, stakeholder management, and maximizing the legacy and impact of international competitions for host cities.
PUBLICATIONS & DOCUMENTATION
Documentation Standards
Author of standardization documentation for International Sport Federations, providing comprehensive guides and frameworks adopted globally by sports organizations.
Event Organization Guide (EOG)
Comprehensive framework for international sport event management and execution
View PDFTelevision Organization Guide (TVG)
Standard protocols for broadcast production and media rights management
Multi-Sport Event Guide
Best practices for organizing and managing multi-sport competitions
Partnership Presentation Books
Strategic partnership frameworks for GAISF and International Judo Federation
Esports 101
University course guide for esports education and industry fundamentals. A comprehensive resource for understanding the esports ecosystem, covering competition structures, athlete development, governance, and the evolution of competitive gaming.
This groundbreaking publication serves as both an academic textbook and practical guide for anyone looking to understand the rapidly growing world of esports. From tournament organization to player welfare, from business models to regulatory frameworks, Esports 101 provides the foundational knowledge needed to navigate this dynamic industry.
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20+ years dedicated to bridging cultures, industries, and generations through the universal language of sport and competition.