An engaging dive into the world of elite sports

On October 17, 2024, about thirty ENS Paris-Saclay students, all passionate about rugby, had the unique opportunity to go behind the scenes at the French Rugby Federation (FFR) headquarters in Marcoussis. The visit was coordinated by Jérémie Lécha, recently appointed General Director of the FFR and a former ENS Paris-Saclay student (Class of 2008, Humanities and Social Sciences), with Julien Piscione, Head of Sport Science and Performance Support, also in attendance.

After a warm welcome and introductory speeches by Jérémie and Julien, the students embarked on a guided tour of the federation’s state-of-the-art training facilities. Highlights included a climate-controlled room that simulates extreme conditions, with humidity levels up to 80% and temperatures reaching 50°C—crucial for preparing athletes for the challenging environments they may face during international competitions.

Another memorable moment was watching the opening minutes of a training match for the French Women’s Sevens team, giving the students a privileged glimpse into the precision and skill of these athletes in action.

The visit allowed the students to explore not only the world of French rugby but also to gain insight into the pressing challenges and objectives of the FFR, such as boosting membership across France, engaging in influential work on international rugby matters, and fostering educational and civic programs through rugby clubs nationwide. The federation is also dedicated to innovative research focused on enhancing both player safety and performance in partnership with sports science experts. Through this, the students discovered how these studies help design training programs that meet the demands of high-level sport.

The day concluded with a coach ride back to campus, leaving the students with a lasting impression of the importance of teamwork, excellence, and innovation in driving sports performance. This inspiring visit offered them a firsthand look at the inner workings of a major sports federation and the diverse elements that contribute to the success of a national team.

Jérémie Lécha shared, “We were delighted to welcome the ENS Paris-Saclay students. We place great emphasis on innovation across different fields—data, nutrition, social sciences, health. Science has indeed become a critical sector supporting our national teams' success. We have numerous researchers on staff, including several CIFRE doctoral candidates. We hope to build strong ties with ENS Paris-Saclay in the future to accelerate our research programs! Normaliens, if you’d like to contribute to the performance of our national teams, don’t hesitate to reach out 😊.”