World University Cross-Country Championships: UBE Students Shine at the Highest Level

At the World University Cross-Country Championships held in Cassino, two students from Université Bourgogne Europe proudly represented France with remarkable performances in a highly competitive international field.

Selected from among the best French university athletes, Martin Perrin and Lola Darcy were part of the ten-member French team. The team was led by Jean-Jacques Rénier, director of the Burgundy–Franche-Comté University Sports League and coordinator of the PEPS UBE program.

Both also members of Dijon UC, the two athletes rose to the challenge against particularly fierce global competition.

Competing in the long-distance cross-country race, Martin Perrin, a fifth-year medical student, delivered an outstanding performance by finishing 5th in the world. A solid race that places him among the best internationally.

For her part, Lola Darcy, a master’s student in Physical Education and Sports Science at the UFR STAPS, distinguished herself in the short cross-country race with a 13th-place finish, confirming her excellent level of performance.

Both finished just 20 seconds off the podium, a testament to their competitiveness at the highest global level.

The following day, during the mixed long relay event—contested by teams of four riders—the two UBE students played a key role in the team’s success. The French team thus claimed the World Championship title, with Martin Perrin and Lola Darcy in its ranks, a reward for a close-knit and high-performing team.

Thanks to the cumulative results from the first day, Martin Perrin also contributed to the bronze medal won by the French men’s team in the team standings.

A source of pride for Université Bourgogne Europe

These results perfectly illustrate the ability of UBE students to balance athletic excellence with academic success.

Université Bourgogne Europe can be particularly proud of these two athletes, who embody the values of commitment, perseverance, and high standards, both on the competition field and in their academic pursuits.