Study and elite sports: three Leiden students competing in FISU Summer World University Games
Elite sport image: FISU
Three student athletes from Leiden University are representing the Netherlands at the FISU Summer World University Games, a kind of Olympic Games for students. ‘This will be my first international competition.’
It’s not your average student life that these athletes lead. They train at least once a day, attend classes and play in competitions at the weekend. How do they combine sport and their studies? And how does it feel to be competing in the FISU Games?
The FISU Summer World University Games are in Germany from 16 to 27 July. With more than 150 participating countries and 25 different sports, it is the biggest multi-sport event for students in the world.
Quinten Groenewold (21), beach volleyball and Security Studies
Quinten Groenewold is looking forward to the FISU Games. ‘I usually only play in beach volleyball tournaments, so you stay in that world. I like the idea of meeting other athletes and hearing how they got into their sport and how they combine it with their studies.’
His day starts at 8.30 with training with the Netherlands Beach Volleyball Team in The Hague, where he lives together with other beach volleyball players. ‘We’re done at 10 and I cycle to university for a lecture or seminar. Then I race home for the second training of the day and spend the evening writing papers or reading the literature.’ Combining sport and studies doesn’t seem to have been much of a problem because he recently completed his Bachelor’s in Security Studies. He’s starting the Master’s in Crisis and Security Management after the summer.
His aim for the games is clear: ‘You’re going for the podium and a medal; otherwise you wouldn’t go at all.’ But together with Tom Sonneville (18), he also wants to grow as a team. ‘We’re a relatively young team and only started playing together this year.’
Update 29 July: Groenewold and Sonneville have won a silver medal.
Lotte Jansen (23), rowing and Astronomy
For Lotte Jansen, competing in the FISU Games is a unique opportunity. ‘I’ve heard it’s a really big event.’ Astronomy student Lotte rows in an eight and thinks her team stands a good chance of winning. ‘We’re a strong team and have a lot of international experience in the boat. I’m looking forward to growing as a team during this competition. And I think it’ll be fun meeting athletes from other countries.’
Jansen recently handed in her final research for her master’s and is now waiting for her final grade. She found combining sport and studies a challenge. ‘It was particularly hard during my bachelor’s degree because you have so many contact hours. I was at the university from nine to five and then you still have to train.’ Her schedule was more flexible during her master’s. ‘But you still have to plan. I’ve always really enjoyed the combination: being physically active and being mentally challenged in your studies.’
If she gets a good mark and completes her degree, she will either find a job or carry on with rowing. ‘I haven’t decided yet.’
Lotte Schutjes (22), judo and Psychology
Lotte Schutjes thinks it’s an honour to be able to compete in the FISU Games. ‘I do national and European competitions, but this will be my first international one. I took part in the European version of the University Games last year and came second. I felt like a real VIP because they really spoil you. This event is supposed to be even bigger.’
Schutjes graduated in January but is still representing Leiden University. She now works full time as a psychologist. And combining sport with her job is harder than it was with her studies. ‘I’m busier. I work in the daytime and train once or twice in the evening. During my studies, I was more able to manage my own time. I could watch lectures later at a time that suited me, for example. And I prioritised my studies during my exams and could prioritise my sport a bit more at other times. That always happened naturally.’
Her goal for the tournament is to enjoy herself. ‘I’ve got an injury and I want to keep my knee in one piece. I also want to show great judo and be satisfied with the process. I’m not aiming for a certain place.’
