With the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games just around the corner, sport is at the heart of this 32nd edition of the Fête de la science – an opportunity for the university to offer an exceptional program for its “Before”! On Wednesday October 4, fun workshops and a round table discussion were organized alongside our scientists and student athletes. Here’s a look back ! 

Sports workshops alongside international athletes 

Speed, reactivity, heart rate, vertical relaxation… Four tests were on the program for these workshops, to measure themselves against Rim Ridane, triple world champion in French boxing, Antoine Thoraval, runner-up in the French U23 60m sprint and Flavie Renouard, runner-up in the French 3,000m steeplechase, qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games. Ultra-trailer and sports coach Dorian Louvet was also on hand. Faced with this exceptional panel, our students were invited to challenge themselves and gain a better understanding of their individual performances. The day’s records included a sprint acceleration speed of 41.8km/h, a vertical rebound of 66cm and a time of 7.99s to extinguish light targets. Well done to all those who took up these sporting challenges ! 

Science meets sport 

How can the human body withstand the suffering associated with sport ? How can we maintain our motivation during exercise ? How can data be used to help athletes with their physical preparation ? How can we process this mass of data? These are just some of the questions our top athletes have been asked, alongside Nicolas Benguigui (GREYC) and Benoit Mauvieux (VERTEX), both teacher-researchers in the sciences of physical activities and sports. 

Next event : Caen Science Village, October 14 & 15, on Campus 2 !