Lyon, France – Olympique Lyonnais Féminin will host a conference dedicated to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in female athletes on April 2nd, immediately preceding their UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinal match against VfL Wolfsburg. The event, scheduled to commence at 7:00 PM local time (7:00 PM CET) at the Groupama Stadium, aims to foster a deeper understanding of these prevalent injuries, explore preventative measures, and discuss best practices for athlete support and recovery.
The conference will bring together a diverse group of medical professionals, coaches, and athletes to share insights and experiences. Among the featured speakers is Dr. Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet, an internationally renowned orthopedic surgeon with extensive experience in treating athletes. Dr. Sonnery-Cottet will share his expertise in knee injury management and return-to-play protocols, offering guidance to those involved in women’s sports.
A particularly compelling aspect of the event will be the personal testimonies from elite female athletes who have navigated the challenges of ACL injuries. Ada Hegerberg, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Amel Majri, and tennis player Loïs Boisson are all slated to share their experiences, providing valuable perspectives on the physical and emotional aspects of recovery and the journey back to competition. These firsthand accounts are intended to offer support and inspiration to athletes, coaches, and medical staff alike.
While primarily geared towards sports medicine professionals – including sports physicians, surgeons, physiotherapists, and athletic training staff – the conference is as well open to the public, reflecting a commitment to broader education and awareness surrounding ACL injuries in female athletes. Organizers anticipate approximately 400 attendees.
ACL injuries have long been a concern in women’s sports, with female athletes experiencing a significantly higher incidence rate compared to their male counterparts. Understanding the biomechanical and hormonal factors contributing to this disparity is a key focus of ongoing research, and the conference aims to contribute to this body of knowledge. The event underscores a growing recognition of the unique challenges faced by female athletes and the necessitate for specialized approaches to injury prevention and rehabilitation.
The timing of the conference, coinciding with a high-profile Champions League match, is deliberate. It provides a platform to raise awareness about this critical issue within the broader sporting community and to highlight the importance of prioritizing athlete health and well-being. The match between Lyon and Wolfsburg represents a significant moment in the Women’s Champions League, and the conference adds another layer of importance to the event.
Lyon has recently hosted a similar event focused on pregnancy and female athletes, demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing the specific health needs of women in sport. This latest conference builds on that commitment, tackling another crucial area of concern for female athletes and those who support them.
Following the conference, all eyes will turn to the pitch as Lyon faces Wolfsburg in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. The first leg saw Lyon secure a 3-1 victory on November 11, 2025. The April 2nd match, scheduled for a 3:00 PM local time kickoff, will determine which team advances to the semifinals. The Groupama Stadium will be the venue for this crucial encounter.
Fans and followers can stay updated on the conference and the match through the official Olympique Lyonnais website (https://www.ol.fr/fr/actualites/conference-ol-lyonnes-dediee-a-la-rupture-du-ligament-croise-anterieur-chez-la-femme-athlete) and the UEFA Women’s Champions League website. Further details regarding the conference agenda and speaker lineup will be released in the coming days.
The next confirmed checkpoint is the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between OL Lyonnes and VfL Wolfsburg on April 2nd at 3:00 PM local time (CET). Archysport will provide comprehensive coverage of the match and its aftermath.
