Houston also launches a unique underwater rocket

Dive in the Berlin pool with Ireland’s Lottie Cullen, who now studies biochemistry in Texas between two powerful backstrokes.

Lottie Cullen, a 20-year-old Irish backstroke swimmer, returned from a demanding university programme in Houston, Texas, to refocus in Belfast at the Ulster National Centre.

The pool has been Lottie’s natural environment from a very young age, since she learnt to swim when she was only 2 years old! She did try a couple of other sports, but always turned back to the water. And it is at the Bangor Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex that she is swimming her last lengths before travelling to Berlin for the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games.

Lottie Collen studied at the Methodist College in Belfast – that she affectionately calls “Methy” – before deciding to cross the Atlantic about four years ago to go to university, dive into biochemistry studies and unknown waters at the University of Houston, Texas.

“It is nice to be back as I have many great memories here”, she says. “I won my first national title while I was studying here.” She then decided to go to pursue her studies abroad. “When I was choosing my university, I really liked Houston because the team of girls they had there is really international. Many of them are from Europe, so they understand how it feels to be away from home and the struggles of being in the US”.

The young student-athlete took a while to ajust, as the training was really intense and the distances different, but she ended settling in and now really enjoys her life there.

At the upcoming FISU Games, Lottie Cullen will swim the three distances: 50m, 100m and 200m. “In the 50, she is so good underwater that she will break ahead of the field”, continues her coach. “She just has to stay ahead of them for the rest of the race!”

Concentrating on her own race process

“I feel there is a little less pressure on me than when I compete for the whole team with Houston”, analyses the backstroke swimmer. “At the World University Games, I will be swimming more for myself so I can concentrate on my own race process.”

Both the coach and his athlete know the competition will be tough, with many countries sending good teams to Berlin. “This is one of the few opportunities you can get to take part in a multisport championship that can prepare you for things like the Olympic Games”, says Kevin Anderson.

“My biggest goal would be to make it to the final. I am sure it is going to be a great atmosphere so I would love to be part of the final and experience the crowd. And of course it is a dream for me to win the FISU World University Games…”

The women’s 50m backstroke final will take place on 21 July from 19h CET. Watch live on fisu.tv