The 37-year-old Nîmes divides her life between her sports medicine practice and the French women’s handball team, of which she joined the medical staff in 2018.
In Cindy Conort’s sports medicine practice, energy is key. Born in Lozère 37 years ago, and in Nîmes since 2013, the young woman dreamed of being a pediatric geneticist, before a sabbatical year called everything into question. “During my studies, I had it all the first time. I said to myself that we had to take a break and not go through this steamroller. During this time, I learned about myself. Without that, I would surely have chosen an elitist specialization where I would have worked 90 hours a week.“Change of gear, so it will be sport, a family passion.” I wanted a broader specialty and take general medicine. I thought to myself that I might get bored choosing something very specific. Today, I spend a lot of energy in a context where I don’t feel like I’m working. “There is also an element of challenge in this choice.”It is a very masculine field. In my promotion, there weren’t many girls. “
In French handball, the name of Cindy Conort is known. It all started in 2016, at HBC Nîmes. “I had been involved in a lot of men’s sports. I told myself that it was going to be complicated with women, that there would be more stories.“Total surprise.”It was a revelation. A great atmosphere, top values. I gave myself 400% in this adventure in addition to the firm. “She likes the club, but fate gets involved. In April 2016, HBC Nîmes filed for bankruptcy.
The end of the story with handball? Not at all, the train passed a second time. In 2018, she joined the staff of the French women’s team. “In 2017, I received a call from Olivier Krumbholz, the coach. I knew the name but it hadn’t hit the nail on the head. I thought he wanted to talk to me about a problem with a player who consults me. In fact, he tells me that he wants to change his medical staff and that he is interested in my profile. “The answer is not positive in the first place. At this point, Cindy Conort’s daughter is very young. But everything changes in no time.”Olivier came to meet me in Nîmes, we spent half a day discussing our way of operating. I trusted him. At the end of the interview, I was up for it.” “I contacted her on the advice of a few players, says Olivier Krumbholz. I immediately felt in her dynamism, ambition. I was convinced that she would fulfill her mission at best and I was not wrong. “The two shake hands, for a picking choice, since”between 80 and 120 days per year “(according to the person concerned) are devoted to the France team.”It’s a ball of energy, never tired, says Olivier Krumbholz. She works all the time. I am delighted with what she achieves. The doctor has a very important role. We are very close and we talk a lot about the condition of the players. “
At the temple of football
If Cindy Conort aspires to open up to new horizons, it is undoubtedly the result of a childhood spent following her military father. During her specialization studies at Creps de Toulouse, she accompanies athletes from around fifteen different disciplines, except football. A gap filled by an eight-month contract, in Clairefontaine, in Yvelines, the temple of French football, in 2012 and 2013. “I made the most of it, but couldn’t have stayed longer. In Clairefontaine, there is the forest. And that’s all. “The Nîmoise also continues to practice general medicine by being on call one weekend a month in Ariège, where her parents-in-law live.”It also allows me to work on emergencies that can happen to me in the France team.“
Stressful matches
On the edge of the field, the energetic side of the young woman stands out. “I am at the cleat. Sometimes I have to calm down. I scream, I jump, it’s my nature. “And yet the games look at each other with stress.”I know the condition of all the players. I am with my doubts. Sometimes I’m already in the aftermath. I live the match, having it all in mind.” “I have known some less calm than she, jokes the coach. He is mentally strong and emotionally stable. But she is passionate about the game. “
With the France team, Cindy Conort won a European medal twice. In silver in Denmark in December, but especially in gold during the championship in France in 2018. “I feel like I’m participating. We give our all, we always provide psychological support to the girls. I am the interface between medical and technical staff. When people say “congratulations” to me, I find it weird because I don’t score a goal. But we give ourselves and it is deserved.“
Olympic Games goal
This summer Cindy Conort should be part of the French delegation that will go to the Olympic Games, scheduled in Tokyo from July 23 to August 9, with preparation from June 9 in Capbreton. “I am excited because the Olympic Games are the chance of a lifetime. I looked at them with stars in my eyes. But I also measure how restrictive it will be. “Already vaccinated, the doctor still has this small apprehension of the positive test before arriving on Japanese soil.”We are fighting to vaccinate the players. Until I’m on the plane, I won’t think I’m going to the Games. There is a huge fear. Even once there, we’ll have about seven. When we will be in the Olympic Village, we will have already spent seven days in Japan, I will finally tell myself that I am there. “Once there, the group will look to do at least as well as their silver medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
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