Carol-Ann Borel: “Unwavering dedication and commitment”

Above all, it was the unity of a great team that secured this French university championship title. Last May in Vichy, the UM women’s swim team, led by Bernard Boulle-Giammattei, clinched victory in the 4×50-meter medley and the relay. “There were twelve of us girls with quite different skill levels, and each of us contributed to this victory. It’s more fun than individual swimming,” says Carol-Ann Borel, one of the team’s leaders alongside other promising swimmers such as Leslie Belkacemi, Nolwenn Hervé, and others.

“The sea has always been there”

Carol-Ann, who had already made a name for herself at the 2018 French University Championships by winning the title of top female swimmer, started swimming in the Var region at the age of five. It was a natural fit for this lover of the sea and travel, who loves nothing more than “being in the water. “I grew up between Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël, so the sea has always been there.”

A passion that led her straight to Montpellier three years ago to join the French Water Rescue Training Center at the CREPS. It’s a sport that originated in Australia and combines pool-based rescue events with open-water events. “It ranges from swimming to kayaking to paddleboarding. It’s very diverse, and it suits me better than just doing lap after lap in the pool,” Carol-Ann admits.

“We know why we’re doing this”

Swimming and lifesaving, then—two demanding disciplines that require “unwavering dedication and commitment. We do lead a somewhat unusual lifestyle.” Carol-Ann gets up every morning at 6 a.m. and trains until 9 a.m., before starting her school day and then heading back to the pool for a second training session from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. “When friends call to hang out, we say no because we know the alarm will go off the next day. It’s a pretty frustrating lifestyle, but when the results are there, we know why we do it.”

A junior majoring in “Education and Motor Skills” atthe UFR STAPS, Carol-Ann isn’t closing any doors just yet. “I want to work in sports, but I have too many ideas—it’s got me a little worried. I could be a physical therapist or work in tourism abroad, or why not in marine biodiversity?” At 20, the swimmer still has plenty of time to see the world…

UM athletes are at the top of their game!

The University of Montpellier honors its student-athletes who have won medals at the World, European, and French University Championships during an annual ceremony organized by SUAPS. Read the profiles of these champions who juggle the demanding dual life of being both a student and an athlete. Read all the profiles…