Bakala Academy: A place where science meets sports

On 3 October, Rector Rik Torfs, Professor Peter Hespel and Zdenek Bakala inaugurated the Athletic Performance Center – Bakala Academy, the new testing and research centre on Leuven University sports campus. Zdeněk Bakala’s support made possible the creation of a centre which contributes to the promotion of fair play in a doping-free sports environment, where each individual is stimulated to develop his or her physical fitness and performance level from the perspective of personal well-being and improving one’s health. The Bakala Academy provides exercise testing, body specs analysis, running analysis, nutritional advice and more to both elite and recreational athletes. ‪Its equipment is the latest and best on the market. ‪"This is a great initiative, and its being carried out at the right place with the right people," says Patrick Lefevere of Etixx - Quick-Step, who has been sending his cyclists to Hespel and his team for more than ten years. ‪"We will keep coming in for testing for all kinds of things: the effects of winter, fatigue, injury, saddle positioning, nutrition. ‪I always say: you have to cut the grass as short as possible for athletes so they can't use tripping over a blade as an excuse. ‪They'll really enjoy the testing here." Eddie Merckx personally attended the opening, as did Marc Wilmots, Zdenek Stybar and other sports heroes. But the Academy is for everyone. "This is an educational endeavour, so our students will be able to enjoy the Academy together with us. It is also important to us that everyone we work with interacts with the top athletes we serve. Recreational athletes are more than welcome, whether they're training for a triathlon or for the year-end run in Leuven. ‪And yes, it will be affordable. It's our job to work with top athletes, but we are also providing a service to society," adds Professor Hespel.

Rector of Leuven University Rik Torfs, Zdenek Bakala and Alun Morris, NATO’s Staff Centre Director

Watch a video from the opening of the Bakala Academy: