How to combine University Studies and Elite Sport

TRENTO – Many of the athletes participating in the Universiades, both winter and summer, have been or will be Olympians. It is the case of one of the two Spanish ice dancing pairs involved in the Trentino Universiade. Sara Hurtado and Adriá Diaz try to make compatible two careers: the university and sports.

They will represent Spain at the Olympic Games in Sochi, “a gift and recognition of our work”, says Sara. It will be their first Olympics, so they will go to “enjoy and live the experience“.

Between trips and competitions, they manage to find time to study at the University Francisco de Vitoria in Madrid. Adriá is enrolled in Teaching, while Sara is studying Journalism and Communications. Both appreciate the understanding of their teachers, as Adriá explains: “teachers help us with exams and practices. We even talk using Skype. They understand that our goal is the Olympics.” Together with the help of their teachers, they emphasize the importance of personal organization.

At the Erzurum Winter Universiade, held in 2011, the couple was on the verge of winning a medal. Pending what happens in the long programme in Trentino, they ensure that a podium spot will be difficult, as there are “very good competitors from the international circuit, which last year we were in the World top 10.” Besides their own results, they highlight the level of the competition, facilities and beauty of Trento.

Javier Morales, FISU Young Reporter