Summer to winter crossover Olympians of any repute are few and far between. In fact, there have only been four athletes who have won medals in both the Winter and Summer Olympic Games. The last, Canadian Clara Hughes (cycling and speed skating), accomplished the feat in 2002.

Not to put too much pressure on 17-year-old Swiss triathlete and cross-country skier Anja Weber, but that could all be about to change depending on the direction the talented young athlete decides to take.

Weber has become the indisputable queen of Youth Olympic events after finishing first in the 7.5km classic and the 5km free technique this week at the 2019 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Sarajevo & East Sarajevo, where Switzerland currently tops the medals table with 3 gold, 3 silver, and one bronze.

At the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires last October, Weber also struck gold in the mixed-relay triathlon while taking bronze in the women’s event.

“This is the second [EYOF] gold medal for me and I am very happy,” the native of Hinwil in the German-speaking part of Switzerland said. “I did not expect this, but I am very satisfied.”

She is still scheduled to compete in the sprint and mixed-team relay here in Sarajevo & East Sarajevo, so even more precious metal may be on its way.

Her complete mastery of skiing, running, swimming and cycling begs the question: Is there any other sport the versatile Swiss athlete could one day medal in?

“As a kid I tried many different sports,” Weber says. “That might be one of the reasons that made it possible to be successful in summer and winter sports. But winning medals in other disciplines would be impossible – the level is definitively too high.”

Weber’s experience in Sarajevo & East Sarajevo has definitely been a memorable one, starting with the honour of being Switzerland’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony on 10 February. She notes the response of the people in Bosnia and Herzegovina as being another special highlight of the 10-15 February event.

“I have had a very nice stay in Sarajevo so far. You can see that [the EYOF] means a lot to the people,” she says.

When the EYOF wraps up this Saturday, it will also bring an end to Weber’s Youth Olympic career. While she says she would be keen on taking part in both the Summer EYOF in Baku this July and at the Youth Olympic Winter Games in Lausanne in 2020, triathlon is not on the programme in Baku and she will be too old to compete at Lausanne 2020.

So are her sights now set on senior Olympic competition? The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 perhaps?

“I think Tokyo 2020 is too early for me for starting with the elite athletes – maybe in Paris 2024 if everything goes right,” Weber says. “And for the Winter Games it’s the same – Beijing 2022 might be too early. We will see what the future holds for me!”

One thing is certain: Weber has already secured her place in the Youth Olympic history books. And we can’t wait to see what she does next!