Combining a top-level sports career with university studies: a daily challenge

Education Article published on 19 June 2024 , Updated on 20 June 2024

Today, more than 120 students at Université Paris-Saclay are engaged in a top-level sports career at the same time as their studies. How do they combine these two schedules? What infrastructures and facilities are deployed to facilitate the daily lives and the sporting and academic success of these students? (This article was originally published in L'Edition No. 23)

More than a hundred: at Université Paris-Saclay, around 121 students are involved in a professional sports career alongside their studies. How do you combine life as an athlete, regular training sessions (sometimes several times a day), frequent travel (to the four corners of the Paris region, the country or even the whole planet) with everyday university life and lectures, tutorials and exams?   

Of these 121 students, the vast majority are considered top-level athletes (SHN in French) and are registered on the lists of the Ministry of National Education, Youth, Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In addition to this list, a committee at Université Paris-Saclay has selected some twenty names of students who do not meet the selective criteria of the SHN lists, but who are recognised by the University as top-level university athletes (SHNU in French) and are therefore entitled to special arrangements and provisions similar to those reserved for SHN. "Our aim is to put our students in a position to succeed," say Olivier Jaoui and Ivan Dury, SHN points of contact at Université Paris-Saclay, at the University Service for Physical and Sports Activities (SUAPS) and the Sports Faculty.   

The majority of SHN and SHNU students are enrolled in the Physical Activity and Sport Science and Technique department (STAPS in French), on undergraduate degrees and Master’s degrees, or at the ENKRE (the National Kinesiotherapy and Re-education School), in partnership with the University’s Faculty of Medicine, but some are also studying management, chemistry, mathematics and other subjects.

Special arrangements and personalised support

Olivier Jaoui and Ivan Dury have a wide range of tools at their disposal to help young athletes enrolled in the programme, from extending the duration of their training to adapting their schedules and exam periods. Following an initial back-to-studies meeting, each SHN and SHNU is given a tailor-made timetable, enabling them to take as many courses as possible while adapting to the daily demands of practising top-level sport.

Célina Ould Hocine, a student in the first year of the Master’s degree in Sports Management at the Faculty of Sports Science, is also a footballer with Paris FC, a club competing in the French Premier Division and the UEFA Women’s Champions League, two of Europe’s most prestigious football competitions. "She has real difficulties coming to class, but she managed to make it all the way to the first year of the Master’s degree and is now able to do both things at the same time. You have to understand that, because of the demands on her as a footballer, she trains twice a day and plays two matches a week, travelling all over France and even Europe several times a month, sometimes in the middle of the week," explains Ivan Dury.

When university and sports schedules overlap, Olivier Jaoui and Ivan Dury make it possible to keep up with the courses. "I advise them to get to as many classes as possible, because you never learn better than when you're actually there, and also to set up links and get athletes out of their top-level bubble," adds Ivan Dury. "When that’s not possible, I post missed lessons online, organise note-taking sessions and even private lessons. During exam periods, we hold special sessions. They also have the option of doing one academic year in two." 

A question of adaptation

The daily lives of top athletes are also full of surprises, both good and bad, to which they have to adapt. "As an SHN or SHNU, you need to know what to prioritise and when. Good sporting performances sometimes pave the way for new competitions and therefore new academic arrangements. But the opposite is also possible: an injury can be experienced as a very difficult period. Our task, as point of contact, is to present this period as an academic opportunity to take part in more courses than originally planned," notes Ivan Dury. "Sometimes injuries lead to new reflections, particularly on whether or not to pursue a sporting career," adds Olivier Jaoui. "It’s really gratifying to support these students and make their busy daily lives a bit easier. We do our best to make sport a virtuous activity," conclude the two experts.

The Hall of Fame at Université Paris-Saclay

In 2023 and 2024, a number of top athletes from Université Paris-Saclay have triumphed in national and international competitions. Thanks to these victories, some of these athletes have qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Congratulations!

Margaux Bailleul
Rowing - 4th at the 2023 European Championships (double sculls)
3rd year at ENKRE (National School of Kinesiotherapy and Re-education)

Maxime Grousset
Swimming - European Champion 2023 - 100 m (Small pool freestyle),  World Champion 2023 (100 m butterfly)
2nd year at ENKRE

Jade Le Guilly
Football - player at Paris-Saint-Germain and champion of France in 2021
3rd-year student in Sports Training

Yohann Ndoye Brouard
Swimming - European champion 2022 (200 m backstroke), European vice-champion 2023 (100 m backstroke) 
2nd year at ENKRE

Célina Ould Hocine
Football - player at Paris FC - champion of France 2019 (U19)
1st year in Sport Management Master’s degree

Antoine Robert
Field hockey - World vice-champion 2023 (U21)
1st-year student in Science and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities (STAPS)

Julia Tolofua
Judo - World judo vice-champion 2023 (over 78 kg)
1st year at ENKRE