Chirine Njeim

Chirine Njeim is a pioneering Lebanese athlete whose versatility and determination have taken her to the world’s biggest sporting stage, not once, but across two very different arenas. A three-time Winter Olympian in alpine skiing and a Summer Olympian in marathon running, she has proudly represented Lebanon with distinction and resilience. Her rare achievement of competing in both the Winter and Summer Games stands as a testament to her exceptional talent, relentless work ethic, and unwavering commitment to sport.

What inspired you to start your sports journey?

My biggest inspiration was my parents. At a very young age, they always made sure we spent most of our time outdoors. In the winter, we would go to the mountains to ski, and in the summer, we would be hiking and cycling. Thanks to them, I learned to love the outdoors and to love sports.

I remember eagerly coming back from school to watch the Skiing World Cup on TV, and I would dream of the day I would be able to represent Lebanon. My dream of becoming an Olympic ski racer did not happen overnight. It took a lot of sacrifice and dedication, none of which would have been possible without the support of my family. They pushed me to be better and, most importantly, believed in me.

Running, honestly, was never a goal or a dream of mine until I moved to Chicago with my husband, where I discovered my love for this sport. I was never inspired to be a runner, but it all started when I completed my first marathon in 2012, the Chicago Marathon… and the rest is history.

What sports achievement are you most proud of so far?

That’s a tough one because every race and sports achievement I have completed, I am proud of. I’ve had some great races and some bad ones, but each has taught me a lesson. If I must pinpoint my greatest achievement, it would be the day I qualified for the Summer Olympics and became the only athlete from the Middle East to have competed in both Winter and Summer Olympic Games.

What advice would you give to young girls who want to pursue your sport seriously?

If you have a dream or a goal, write it down and do everything you can to achieve that goal. You will face a lot of ups and downs along the way, but every high and every low has its purpose. Learn from them and always remember your WHY. Why you started, why you are doing this…and keep moving forward.

What’s one small change that could make a big difference for women athletes in Lebanon?

When I first saw your Instagram post, I was extremely excited to see that there is a social media page focusing on Women in Sport in Lebanon. Any small change can create a big impact.
Being fit, strong, and muscular is attractive. Beauty comes from hard work, from pushing our limits and not caring what people have to say.
I believe talking about women in sport and showcasing their goals, dreams, journeys… will inspire the younger female generation and encourage them not to be afraid to be strong.

Where would you like to see women’s sport in Lebanon in the future (10-20 years down the line)?

I would love for women’s sports to grow bigger in Lebanon. We already have a lot of great female athletes competing in running, swimming, cycling, and many other sports, and I hope that this number grows bigger and that we see more female athletes competing at a high level.

I hope that I can make a difference and inspire the younger generation of athletes to not be afraid to chase their dreams. All athletes deserve support and respect to chase their dreams.

Beirut Marathon organizes a women’s race every year, and I think that is great motivation to encourage women at all levels to show up and compete.

I hope that big change can happen instantly, but I understand that it’s a long process that takes time. Talking about women’s sports will help us move forward.

What was it like representing Lebanon at the Olympic games, and which moment/ race made you feel most proud to represent Lebanon internationally?

Representing Lebanon at the Olympics was absolutely amazing! It felt like living a dream for two weeks.
Every race I have competed in and represented Lebanon meant a lot to me, but running the marathon in Rio with my family and friends cheering me on and waving the Lebanese flag at different locations along the course was something I will never forget.

You’ve competed in both Winter and Summer Olympics; what was it like switching disciplines, and what did you learn about yourself in the process?

I can write a book about my experience in the Winter and Summer Olympics. Each Sport has its beauty, and each sport has made me a better athlete. I cannot compare skiing to running because they’re physically quite different. Skiing requires strength, heart, and explosiveness. Running is all about pacing yourself and listening to your body.
There is one thing that overlaps between the two sports: the mental aspect. If you don’t have the right mindset, you cannot compete in either. This shows how important it is to be mentally strong in sports.