Marie Rocamora: when the grace of rhythmic gymnastics meets pharmacy studies

A second-year pharmacy student, Marie Rocamora, 20, competes in rhythmic gymnastics at the highest national level. Between balls, clubs, and studying, she reveals the secrets of her success.

Balancing high-level sports and studies: the art of organization

For Marie, juggling daily training sessions and pharmacy classes is a real organizational challenge. This student trains every evening except Sundays and Tuesdays at the Montpellier GRS club.

"Sometimes it's difficult," says Marie, who had to make a tough choice and temporarily give up gymnastics during her PASS year. "In November, I realized it wasn't possible anymore, so I decided to take a break." It was a courageous decision that enabled her to succeed in this demanding year.

Today, she has found her organizational balance. Sport has become an ally in her studies, forcing her to stay organized and optimize her work time. For its part, the faculty offers appropriate accommodations, including changing courses in the event of a competition, making up missed classes, or moving up the mandatory internship period.

Sports performance: excellence in the service of passion

Marie competes at the highest level in France, competing in the National 18+ category in individual events and Division Nationale 1 in team events.

She started at the age of six after watching the World Championships in Montpellier, and her passion led her to the 2019 French Championships in Reims, where she performed two perfect runs that opened the doors to the National A level.

"I would describe rhythmic gymnastics as a combination of flexibility, technique, and the elegance found in ballet," she explains about this discipline, which uses five pieces of equipment: ball, clubs, ribbon, hoop, and rope.

Advice for future student athletes: "Don't give up on sports"

Marie's message to future student athletes is clear: don't give up on your passion. She emphasizes the complementary nature of sports and pharmacy studies, considering sports to be a real asset.

His secret? "It's organization and the discipline we impose on ourselves." This discipline allows him to keep up with his classmates, who have more free time.