{"id":149936,"date":"2023-02-07T16:29:47","date_gmt":"2023-02-07T15:29:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=149936"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:26:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:26:38","slug":"top-athletes-meet-at-the-sports-building","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2023\/02\/07\/top-athletes-meet-at-the-sports-building\/","title":{"rendered":"Top athletes meet at the sports building"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nine athletes who study at Erasmus University<\/span> participated in a workshop <\/span>about combining studying and top sports<\/span>. The guest-speaker was former student<\/span> <\/span>Madelein<\/span> Meppelink<\/span><\/span><\/a>, <\/span>who participated in three<\/span> Olympics<\/span> as a <\/span>beach volleyball <\/span>athlete. Her takeaway? Do not let sports dictate your life.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The athletes play sports ranging from football to rowing.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShrey Khurana<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Competing in sports at a top level, together with completing a degree program is a rare combination. The mix of daily physical training, studies, international tournaments and exams can have a toll on the athletes of Erasmus University. The nine athletes who participated in the workshop at the sports building on 2 February experience that in their daily lives.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVery clear planning is key\u201d, says Babette de Leede (23), a cricket player in the Dutch national team and master\u2019s student quantitative marketing. \u201cI plan every hour of my day: when I train, when I study, when I see friends, and even when I do nothing, which is the hardest thing to plan!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Babette has been part of the national Dutch Cricket team since the age of 14.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShrey Khurana<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Priorities, priorities<\/h2>
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Radu wants to fully focus on playing squash after obtaining his bachelor's degree.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShrey Khurana<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Speaker Madelein Mappelink argued that prioritization is essential to balance sports and studies. That is even more important if the athletes do not want sports to dictate their lives while studying for a degree. To ensure the athletes can successfully combine top sports and studies, the university provides support by granting the athletes more flexible schedules, taking exams online, delaying deadlines, and such. This way, the athletes can place their sports careers at the forefront.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This includes Radu Pena, a Romanian second-year International Business Administration student who competes at squash. \u201cI end up spending 60 percent of my time on squash\u201d, he admits. \u201cPutting 30 to 40 percent of my time on studies is enough to pass. But for squash, if I do not devote at least 50 percent of my time, then I feel like I cannot develop and become better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Partying<\/h2>
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Marinde deals with sports and studies from August until June.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShrey Khurana<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Among the challenges discussed when mixing top sports with studies was the impact it has on social life. The students\u2019 congested schedules leave barely any room to spend time with family, friends, or living the \u2018student life\u2019.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

July is the only month available for clubbing, partying, and hanging out for Marinde Smolders (23), who combines Psychology with wheel gymnastics. That comes with restrictions as well, she laughs: \u201cI go partying, but I do not drink. Sometimes I wish I could, though! You just look at your friends, and you are like \u2018gosh, I wish I could also party like that!\u2019\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t

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De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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