Stéphane Diagana

CDMGE Academic Challenge, and didn't think twice about renewing his involvement this year. 

 "Loads of fun"

"Like all participants, I was really blown away by the previous edition. I loved seeing the boisterous atmosphere at Stade Charléty! I was struck by how enjoyable the day was, and by the brilliant sports performances, even though they were not the main purpose of the Challenge.
The main attraction of the CDMGE Academic Challenge, in my opinion, is the way it provides a meeting space for students and attending corporate partners so that they can raise awareness of their business lines in an unusual setting, a sports setting.  
It is an original idea that meets a real need of the students, who don't always understand corporate realities and the opportunities companies can offer them.
The decision to mentor the event a second time therefore came naturally to me. I am convinced that, as in 2009, this great sports day will leave a lasting impression on all those taking part in it".

A word from our mentor

Why were you willing to be the mentor of the first Academic Challenge?

For a long time, I had one foot in both worlds: the world of track and field, which I practiced for 25 years, and the world of university and graduate school. Because I was still involved in world-class sports during my business studies, I was at ESCP Europe the longest – from 1998 to 2004! For me, it's a pleasure to see that the best-known Olympic discipline was chosen to bring together students and companies. It's a good choice, and an original one. Track and field is so multi-faceted, that there's something for all builds and temperaments. Sprinting, shot putting, the high jump, and long-distance running require physical and psychological qualities, as well as different types of endurance.  Everyone can enjoy themselves in their own way!

You also say that track and field is a collective sport, despite appearances to the contrary…

Yes, or to put it another way, what I am interested in is making it a collective sport. The camera is there at the very end of a process of work and preparation that starts months and even years beforehand. Collective performance is an investment in a relationship that goes beyond the sum of individual performances.

What is the link between sports and the business world?

When I'm on the starting blocks going for gold, every bone of my body is focused on that goal. A business is a body too, made up not of bones, but of people, each with their own opinion and not always agreeing. The main challenge to business performance is sharing goals and working in such a way that everyone feels committed to a project. That is complex. It takes work and substantial leadership.

What role can sport play during a person's studies?

It has an important role to play in education. Through sports and other team activities we discover skills we wouldn't acquire if we stayed sitting on the sidelines of our amphitheatres or schools. They're called "soft skills": negotiation, active listening, positive feedback, time and stress management, self awareness, risk-taking, etc.