News and views from Georges-André Carrel

A city on the move

A true champion, Georges-André Carrel takes it upon himself to highlight all the positive aspects of the town: “As the Olympic Capital and seat of the IOC, it is our duty to be constantly on the move. If you look at the Lake Geneva arc, there are as many events between Geneva and Montreux as in a major city like Los Angeles and an impressive number of attractions that appeal to the emotions. The town used to be frosty, perhaps due to the traditionally mistrustful nature of the Vaudois people. But now this mistrust has given way to boldness and the changes in the city in terms of mobility, for example, are fantastic.” And what’s more: “There is no point in measuring a city by its sporting achievements or its number of records. Lausanne has numerous associations and ample licence holders, which constitutes the true strength of this town.”

Lake Geneva and Chalet-à-Gobet

Having the advantage of working right beside the lake, Georges-André Carrel never tires of the view before his eyes every morning. “The shores of Lake Geneva are a delight to me every day. You can go for a run, a walk, a stroll. Sometimes, when I have to think about a presentation, I take to a secluded spot on the shore and inspiration comes to me. And this lake is extraordinary because it never has the same colour or smell. Other than that, I enjoy the lovely woods in Chalet-à-Gobet on the town’s other hillside, where it’s really nice to go mountain biking.”

An inveterate night owl in the past, this diehard coach has since passed the torch on to the young generation represented by the volleyball players of LUC. But the young Georges-André Carrel recalls his nights at the XIIIème siècle, a disco bar situated at the heart of the Cité district: “They’ll say I know how to party (he laughs). As I helped to develop this place, I’m bound to be attached to it. It’s a spot made of old stone which exudes youth and whose heart beats in time with the beer going down.”