Tom Picard: "We have to be clever to outwit our opponents".

The Montpellier university volleyball team, led by coaches Dominique Hallart and Bernard Iché, took bronze at the European Championships in Lodz, Poland. Third place was as much down to the talent of the players as to the cohesion of this fine team, already two-time French champions. "We really know each other. We've all played with each other at different clubs and we get on really well. That's what makes it work," comments team captain Tom Picard.

A family affair

An atypical career path for this young Marseillais who, as an Olympian, initially devoted himself to soccer. Playing in the Istres training center, he eventually left the pitch and moved to Montpellier three years ago to study. "I ' d got a bit bored of soccer, but not of competition, so when I was offered the chance to play volleyball, I said yes. I knew there was a great spirit in the sport.

It has to be said that in the Picard family, volleyball is a family affair! With a father who coached at Tours and Istres, and an older sister who played in the Première Division and Élite, it's hardly surprising that Tom ended up in the nets. Quickly integrated into the Arago de Sète training center, he made his mark as a point guard (striker). To be a good player, you have to be clever, almost vicious, to foil your opponent's strategies".

"Now or never!"

To reach this level, Tom has to train five hours a day, add weight training and, above all, study. Enrolled in a Master 1 in STAPS, the volleyball player plans to become a sports coach. To obtain his diploma, he benefits from the status of high-level sportsman, which enables him to adapt his courses and, sometimes, to leave a little room for his other passions: " OM, TV series and video games! It's pretty hard to do it all, but I'm 21, so it's now or never!

UM sportsmen and women at the top!

The University of Montpellier celebrates its athletes who have won medals at the World, European and French University Championships at an annual ceremony organized by the SUAPS. Read the portraits of these champions who lead the demanding double life of student-athlete. Read all the portraits...