In the world of professional sports, retirements are often met with a mixture of celebration for past achievements and a touch of melancholy for what might have been. Such is the case with Chantal Laboureur, the formidable German beach volleyball player, who, at the age of 32, has announced her departure from the competitive court. Her exit comes shortly after her coronation as the first European Queen of the Court, a title she clinched with Karla Borger, making her departure all the more poignant. Two years shy of a potential Olympic dream in Paris, Laboureur has chosen a different path, one that prioritizes life beyond the sand.
“It would have been ‘just two years’, but also ‘still two more years’,” Laboureur explained, encapsulating the demanding paradox of an athlete`s commitment. Her decision stems from a deeply personal shift: “I felt that private life got more and more important for me and, in the end, I also want to start a family. I can no longer prioritize beach volleyball for another two years.”
It`s a candid admission, highlighting the profound sacrifices professional athletes make, often deferring personal milestones for the relentless pursuit of sporting glory.
A Legacy Forged in Sand
Laboureur`s journey in beach volleyball is nothing short of illustrious, spanning some 15 years on the international stage. Her career took root with early triumphs, notably clinching the 2007 CEV U18 Beach Volleyball European Championship and then the 2008 U19 World Championship alongside Levke Spinger. These foundational victories set the tone for a career characterized by consistent excellence. She continued to shine in the U23 category, adding a bronze in 2011 and a gold in 2012 at the European Championships.
Transitioning to the senior European Tour in 2009, Laboureur quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with. Paired with Julia Sude, she secured her first senior medal, a bronze, at the 2013 Montpellier Satellite. This partnership blossomed, yielding multiple continental gold medals at the Masters level, including Biel/Bienne 2014, Baku 2014, Jurmala 2016, and Baden 2017, culminating in a bronze at the 2017 CEV European Championship in Latvia. Her memory is sharp, recalling “ice hockey fans from Germany cheering for us” during those Jurmala European Championships, underscoring the vibrant atmosphere she experienced.
Beyond European competitions, Laboureur’s prowess was evident on the FIVB World Tour, where she accumulated an impressive tally of two gold, six silver, and three bronze medals. The inaugural VW Beach Pro Tour this year also saw her secure a silver, a testament to her enduring competitiveness. While an Olympic medal remained just out of reach – a heartbreaking loss in the Tokyo 2020 qualification tournament – her domestic achievements were undisputed: three German national championship titles and the prestigious “Germany`s Player of the Year” in 2018. Last year, she even conquered the German King of the Court tournament, adding another crown to her collection.
Reflecting on her journey, Laboureur expressed immense gratitude:
“So many great memories! And so many great tournaments! I really enjoyed the time and I want to thank everybody who was or still is involved in making us players have a good time!”
She also spoke warmly of her “youngest partner Sarah,” Sarah Schulz, praising her as “one of the kindest players and persons I know!” – a heartfelt nod to the camaraderie forged on tour.
The Next Chapter: Beyond the Sand
The decision to step away, while clearly thought out, was not without emotion. “Beach volleyball gave me so much, but as a professional athlete you have to sacrifice a big part of your social life, for example. We are far from home for many weeks and we can’t attend family life like others do,” she shared. In a moment of relatable irony, she added, “I love this sport so much and if I could do everything at the same time and the day had 48 hours, I would probably play until I`m 50, but that’s not the case.”
Now, the “Queen” trades her court for a new chapter. Her immediate plans include travel, completing her medical studies – with just one year of practical work remaining – and, most importantly, embarking on the journey of starting a family. While the competitive sand courts will miss her formidable presence, the narrative of Chantal Laboureur is far from over. And who knows, perhaps after fulfilling these deeply personal aspirations, we might witness her graceful return to the beach volleyball world, albeit in a different, perhaps mentoring or advisory role. The sand never truly forgets its queens.
