ICAEW student Christopher Lagane is making history as the first cyclist from Mauritius to compete in the Olympic road-racing event. As he prepares for the Olympics, it’s an accolade that isn’t lost on him. “My goal now is to race well in the Olympics and proudly showcase the Mauritian jersey. It’s the first time Mauritius has qualified for road racing, so it’s really important for me to be ready and do my best.”

That self-inflicted pressure to succeed is a trait that runs through both his professional and sporting life. Currently in the midst of a rigorous training regime, Lagane says it’s a combination of consistency and dedication that have allowed him to not only balance his athletic and professional aspirations, but achieve remarkable success.

Not that his journey to the Olympics has been without any bumps in the road. After finishing school, he had aspirations to become a professional cyclist and joined the Velo Club Villefranche Beaujolais cycling team in France. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his plans. “After I finished school, I dedicated myself completely to cycling. But in 2020, when I joined the team in France, COVID happened and all the races were cancelled. I had to go back to Mauritius.”

During the pandemic, Lagane decided instead to focus on his academic career and successfully completed a degree in business management and finance. He first discovered the ICAEW qualification through his father-in-law, a former accountant turned pilot, who recommended the ACA as a respected and beneficial pathway to a future career. 

“He told me it was the best in terms of standards,” Lagane says. “I started to do some research and I quickly saw that it was a prestigious qualification. From there, I was very interested to start because I knew completing this qualification would be really good for my future.”

Fast forward to post-pandemic, balancing cycling training and accountancy studies has been a demanding but rewarding experience for Lagane. “It’s quite tough because I have a lot of training sessions, but it’s just a matter of organisation. I train three to four hours a day and then study online. It’s hard-hitting, but it’s very rewarding as well."

Consistency is key

For Lagane, consistency is key for both sporting and academic achievement. “It’s better to do a little bit every day and stay consistent,” he says. “Whether it’s training or studying, putting in the right amount of time and dedication can lead to success.”

It’s a commitment that has certainly paid off: Lagane has made good progress in his ICAEW studies, having passed two exams and preparing for a third of the 15 papers needed to complete the ACA qualification. He plans to focus solely on his exams once the Olympics are finished. He will also begin his work experience – ACA students must complete 450 days of practical work experience to gain the qualification, which usually takes between three to five years. 

Reflecting on his cycling career, Lagane credits his family background and early experiences in France for his dedication. “I started to be interested in cycling when I was 12 years old. My dad and brother were cyclists. Every year, I went to France for a month to race. Winning a few races made me believe I could pursue a career in cycling.”

Hoping to set an example

Lagane sees strong parallels between the sporting and accountancy aspects to his life, not least the requirement for discipline and determination. “Sports is a good school in life. If you want to succeed, you need to work hard. The same applies to studies. The biggest challenge for me is finding the right balance between training and studying.”

Lagane's story is one of perseverance and dedication and serves as an inspiring example that balancing a professional career with athletic ambitions is achievable, given the right mindset. “I hope I can be an example for anyone who wants to combine a sports career and a professional career. If you stay consistent and work hard, anything is possible.”

As he prepares for the Paris Olympics, Lagane has his sights firmly on proudly showcasing the Mauritian jersey on the world stage. But he’s also thinking longer term about completing his ACA qualification as the cornerstone to his future career. 

“It’s a huge honour to be part of the Olympic team. Everyone sees the hard work I put into cycling and it’s a great reward to earn an Olympic spot,” Lagane says. “I hope my journey can inspire others to pursue their dreams, balancing both sports and professional careers.”

ICAEW wishes Christopher Lagane the best of luck in the Olympics and his future as an ACA chartered accountant.