VUB coaches 119 top student athletes in 30 study domains

Stef De Greef (Fencing/Social Sciences/Advanced Master in European Integration), Jorre Verstraeten (Judo/Exercise and Sports Sciences) en Stef Campenhout (Fencing/Business Engineering) During the 2022-2023 academic year, 119 top athletes and followed a flexible study path at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Over the years, VUB researchers have developed a scientifically substantiated policy to support athletes such as Belgian Cat Antonia Delaere and sprinter Jonathan Sacoor, both academically and mentally. "Our mission is to provide maximum study flexibility so that top athletes can develop optimally in their own sporting environment," says Professor Koen De Brandt, coordinator of the Top Sport & Study service. In 2022, the service received the Athletes Friendly Education Award from the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee, for its "unwavering commitment to student athletes". It is not just concerned with practical matters such as moving exams or staggering study years, but mental well-being of high-level athletes is also central. "We really focus on support," says De Brandt. "Our Top Sport & Study service is closely linked to the Sports Psychology and Mental Counselling research group.