Una.Lecture | Sports, reading and the university

Academia inherently involves books and sports as essential components of knowledge and healthy living. Thousands of athletes, authors, and our entire university community - all avid readers - have passed through our halls, schools and faculties.

Sport is the central theme of the 83rd Madrid Book Fair. Held from 31 May to 16 June, this is a significant annual event for Madrid residents and the academic community. Inspired by this year's theme, Universidad Complutense de Madrid will host an Una.Lecture on 13 June as part of the Book Fair programme, featuring prominent participants closely linked to the university with successful careers in sports. Together, our speakers will explore the undeniable relationship between university life, reading, and sports from their diverse backgrounds and perspectives, including athletes, journalism and sports medicine, academia and students.

Una Europa's eleven partner universities boast excellent sports facilities and programmes, ranging from gyms, training sessions, and sports classes to teams competing in student and/or professional leagues. Our universities support athletes, protect minority sports, and advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion in all their practices. This is complemented by specialised sports research, postgraduate degrees and courses focused on sports, millions of shared books and journals available through their libraries, and a research community publishing in globally recognised academic journals.

If you read and play sport, or if the motto mens sana in corpore sano is important in your life, we look forward to seeing you on 13 June at 10:30 at the Book Fair. Admission is free until the event space reaches full capacity.

The event will open with remarks from José María Coello de Portugal, Vice-Rector for Planning, Coordination, and Institutional Relations at Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

• Moderator: Antonio Esteva

Currently an Associate Professor of Sports Journalism at Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Antonio's professional career has linked him to sports broadcasting for over 25 years. The Champions League, La Liga, Football World Cups, Copa del Rey, UEFA, Basketball World Cups, Eurobaskets, Tennis Masters, GP2 motor racing or F1 Air are just some of the more than 2,000 sporting events to which he has given voice, face and direction in important national and international media.

• Lidia Sánchez-Puebla

An International Athlete (Walking), Lidia has a degree in Medicine and a Masters in Vision Sciences from Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

She started in athletics when she was only 11 years old, and has been Spanish champion in junior and senior categories. Now, she is preparing to participate in the Olympic Games in Paris, while also pursuing a PhD in Vision Sciences at Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

• Elena Jiménez Salvador

With a BA in Information Sciences from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, journalist Elena Jiménez has an impressive career at RTVE. Her work and her passion for sport have led her to travel around the five continents covering practically all the Olympic Games, the biggest championships and competitions of all kinds.

• Pilar Martín Escudero

In addition to being a Professor of Medicine at Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Pilar has been practising sports medicine for more than 25 years. She has been a doctor for athletes at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, London 2012 and, more recently, Tokyo 2021, as the Spanish Olympic team doctor. Pilar holds four patents in biomedical engineering applied to sport and has received important awards for her teaching and research work in sports medicine.

In addition, students and athletes from the men's and women's divisions of the Complutense Cisneros Rugby Club will take part in the roundtable.

Designed to foster dialogues between academia and the public, the Una.Lecture series gives you a glimpse into the incredible breadth and depth of expertise, insights and perspectives found across Una Europa's partner universities.

Alicia Castillo Mena, professor at the Faculty of Geography and History and director of Ediciones Complutense, has designed and directed this Una.Lecture.