At the European Junior Swimming Championships, Simon Laviolette won a gold medal and a bronze medal.
The event took place in Munich, where a young Belgian swimmer made a splash across the continent with his talent. Originally from a family living in Ottenburg, in Flemish Brabant, Simon Laviolette only sees his parents on weekends, as he boards at the federal sports-study centre in Sart-Tilman, near Liège, following a demanding schedule.
Every weekday, the 17‑year‑old wakes up at 5:30 a.m. to prepare for his first training session from 6:30 to 8:20, followed by strength training before heading to school from 10:00 to 16:30. After that comes a second training session from 17:00 to 19:00, then homework, leaving little room for other activities before a well‑deserved night’s sleep.
Such dedication is paying off: Simon Laviolette finished third in the 200 m individual medley, setting a new personal best in the final with a time of 2:00.37, just above the symbolic two‑minute mark.
Then, in the 400 m individual medley, the young Belgian delivered a superb final, again setting a new personal best with 4:18.69 and claiming the title of junior European champion.
Congratulations to this young champion, now decorated with two beautiful medals!
