Initiative, naturalness and self-confidence are the words that define these 60 young athletes. They are students at the University of Navarra who, while studying at degree program, manage to make time in their day to practice the sport they are passionate about. They have managed to transform that initial hobby, which many began as children, into a fundamental part of their university life. Thanks to the Sports Talent Program of the Olympic programs of study Center (CEO) of the University they manage tomake their university degree program compatible with the internship performance sports.It is a comprehensive financial aid program to support and give attendance to the student-athlete, accompanying them in improving their professional, academic, sports and training staff . And according to the participants, it succeeds.

"My coach, my teammates and my whole family have always been very supportive of my wrestling, but Talento Deportivo has helped me to be able to combine programs of study and the sport. In addition, it offers me support in training and facilitates the topic of doctors and nutrition", says Maialen GuelbenzuMaialen Guelbenzu, a teacher training student. In addition to wrestling, she is one of the athletes at the Navarra Sports Technification Center. This is her first year at the University, and, just like Miguel Indurain student of Economics who practices cycling, they recognize that their sport is what they are really passionate about."Little by little -Miguel explains, "little by little, you see that you like what you do. you see that you like what you do, you train a lot more and dedicate more hours to it, and you're gaining.". Maialen, smiling, assures that "you take it more and more seriously and there comes a time when you ask yourself if it's really a hobby or something more".. Eduardo Laviña, student of Medicine, recognizes the support he feels thanks to this project: "Apart from the help it can give you to reconcile study schedules with the sport, there are also talks and sessions on topics related to this internship that have helped me a lot"..

In exchange for entering the Program, these students are offered a reinforcement of tutorial, the possibility of obtaining two credits ECTS credit per year up to a maximum of six at degree program and entrance in the Nutrition and Sports Nutrition Program. In addition, they are offered a special physical maintenance plan, a special medical follow-up, a sports tutor -staff that orients them in their passage through the University as well as a specific training plan through the Olympic programs of study Center.

"It's a matter of getting organized."

For those in charge of this program, the programs of study are the priority; all participants are obliged to go to class and approve the subjects. Although, as Miguel says, it is sometimes difficult to combine this double life: "Up until the 2nd year of the program, everything was going quite well. high school diploma I didn't have to study so much and I could dedicate more time to training. Now at university, I think it's a matter of being well organized. If you do it, you can continue both with the sport and with the programs of study". Eduardo, a veteran at the University as he is in his sixth year, his last year, agrees with his colleague and thinks that it's all about organization, and that with planning, you have time for everything. However, he recognizes that this year he finishes the degree program of Medicine and that when he starts with the spanish medical residency program, he will have to reduce training hours. Although he has doubts about the future, he assures that when he exercises his profession, he will return to compete at the regional level.

As stated by the Vice President of the Spanish Olympic committee , Carmelo Paniagua, in the presentation of the Program, maybe we will see them someday in the Olympic Games. Olympic Games. Or at least, that is the goal and they are putting the ingredients to achieve it: "You need desire, constancy, a lot of willpower and to believe that you can do it. At least you have to try", concludes Maialen Guelbenzu. Like any athlete, they would like to compete in the Olympic Games, and if possible, the 2020 Olympics.

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