The everyday life of professional athletes is strictly organised: daily training, regular competitions, and frequent stays at home or abroad. Anyone wanting to pursue professional education alongside a passion for sports requires a flexible study programme that meets individual needs and can be optimally combined with sport. IU offers precisely this flexibility: students can choose from over 200 study programmes offered via distance learning, organise their learning time freely, and participate in the interactive online courses from any location - an advantage that is particularly important for working people and competitive athletes.

Four Olympians share their tips on how they successfully balance their studies at IU with their careers in professional sports.

Simon Batz, long jump, IU student in the Sports Management B.A. distance- learning programme competed in the track-and-field event at the Olympic Games. The 21-year-old recently won the German championship title with a jump of 8.18 metres. When asked how he masters the dual role between sports and studies, he explained, "The fact that IU gives you the opportunity to stretch your studies and be flexible with the content means I can combine my studies well with my sport. Being able to take my exams anytime and anywhere is particularly helpful. For example, despite a training camp in the USA lasting several weeks with a six-hour time difference, I was able to write my exams without any problems."

Mona Mayer, athletics, IU student in the Communication Psychology B.A. distance learning programme, competed in Paris in track and field in the 4x400 meter women's and 4x400 metre mixed events. Mayer is also studying communication psychology at IU. When asked what excites her most, both in life and in sports and studies, she commented, "What excites me most are the challenges that my studies, life, and sport have in store for me. They allow me to improve and surpass myself. I'm constantly getting to know myself anew."

Katharina Filter, handball, IU student in the Medical Technology B.A. distance learning programme, was the goalkeeper for the German national handball team at the Olympic Games. As a professional athlete, she has also achieved great success in beach handball in the past. In January 2023, she began a distance learning programme at IU and has been studying medical technology ever since. She revealed, "It's easy for me to combine this with my sport because I can attend lectures when I have time or take breaks when major tournaments are coming up."

Camilla Kemp, surfing, IU student in the Sports Management B.A. distance learning programme. In Paris, she became the first German surfer to take part in an Olympics.
The 28-year-old is also completing a distance learning course at IU in the sports-management programme, and she explained how her studies are helping her to develop outside of sports, "My distance learning programme has helped me acquire a wide range of skills both inside and outside of sports that will help me both now and in the future. I have learnt to manage my time better and that it is possible to study and be a professional athlete simultaneously." She advises people faced with difficult decisions, for example when considering a distance-learning programme, to "[...] set clear goals, work hard, and always believe in yourself."

Dr. Carmen Thoma, COO of IU International University of Applied Sciences, says, "We are particularly proud that over thirty members of the German Olympic team are studying via distance learning at IU alongside their intense sporting commitments. Their ability to combine high performance in sports with academic success reflects the commitment and flexibility we encourage and support at IU.

“It is impressive to see how they pursue and master their sporting and professional goals in parallel. This remarkable achievement illustrates not only the individual strength and discipline of the athletes, but also the high quality and adaptability of our educational programme. We wish all the athletes every success and good luck at the Olympic Games."

Working people and professional athletes at IU enjoy maximum flexibility in all programmes: distance learning students can choose from over 250 courses, organise their learning time freely, and study via interactive online courses regardless of time and place, which is particularly advantageous.

They have access to one of the largest online libraries - with over 14,000 courses - and use innovative learning tools on the Virtual Campus and in the "IU Learn" app. Examinations can be taken online or at the nearest examination centre. In addition, students have access to the personalised AI learning buddy Syntea, which supports them in achieving their goals through interactive and dialogue-based learning.

For all those who prefer a degree programme with attendance components, IU offers further study formats at over 35 locations in Germany. For example, the practice-integrated dual study courses and programmes in myStudium are a model that combines online teaching with campus life.