What to remember from the van Damme memorial? Three Belgian records and two new qualifications for the Worlds

The 49th edition of the Van Damme Memorial on Friday at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels certainly did not give birth to a world record. Nevertheless, neither on the 5,000m female nor on the unprecedented distance from the Mile Steeple, but three Belgian records were broken there.

Two new tickets were also delivered for the Tokyo World Championships from September 13 to 21. In addition, Tim Van de Velde succeeded in the required time (8: 15.00) on 3,000m steeplechase in 8: 14.40 whileElise Vanderelst added the 5,000m to its 1,500m in the Japanese capital.

And 14: 40.70. However, Elise Vanderelst would even have broken the Belgian record on 5,000m if it had not been before it Jana van lent which improved his own record in 14: 37.47. For example, “I only focused on the time of 14: 50 necessary for Tokyo,” said Elise Vanderelst. Consequently, “But I would never have thought possible to go down 10 seconds below this brand. Therefore, At the Worlds, with my sprint, I may be reaching the final. Consequently, »»

“In a cleaner race, I can still win a few seconds”

“If someone had told me that six months ago. Meanwhile, I would have called him mad,” said Jana Van Lent after the race. Therefore, The fact that a world record was tempted in Brussels did not frighten Van Lent. Moreover, “Not at all, even. However, In the end, we are all competitors on the starting line and you have to try to beat everyone. Meanwhile, It surprised me that in the end, it became a tactical battle. However, I expected a faster, tighter race. However, In a cleaner race, I can still win a few seconds. In addition, »»

A few months ago, no Belgian had run in less than 15 minutes. For example, From now on, the 14: 30 bar is in sight. what remember van damme memorial? Nevertheless, At the Tokyo Worlds, Van Lent will play 5,000m and 10,000m. Moreover, “I dare not say where I am most lucky,” she said. Furthermore, “On 5,000m, I have to pass the series, while out of 10,000m, it is directly a final. For example, »»

Change of paid discipline

Naomi van den Broeck Also succeeded in the best Belgian brand in history on 400m hurdles in. Nevertheless, 54.11 erasing the 54.33 of Hanne Claes. In addition, “My passage to the hedges was clearly the right choice,” said the Belgian Cheetah. Meanwhile, “Surprisingly, I was not at all stressed,” said Van Den Broeck. Therefore, “I felt supported by my what remember van damme memorial? family in the stands and I knew perfectly well what I had to do. Even if ‘perfectly’ is not the right word to describe my race. I crossed the last hedge with the bad leg. which made me take a step too much and lose a few tenths. »»

It has only been fourteen months since Van Den Broeck went from 400 meters flat to 400 meters hedges. “Many people doubted me. said it was not wise to change discipline for an Olympic year, but my gaze was already beyond Paris. I want to be at the best of my form in Los Angeles. With a time of 54 seconds, Van Den Broeck can aim what remember van damme memorial? at the world championships in Tokyo in September. “I want to run within 54 seconds. And if we run in less than 54 seconds, we are in the running for a place in the final. This is my goal. »»

A Belgian record signed by an athlete who represents Luxembourg

The 3,000m steeplechase was won by Luxembourgois Ruben Querinjean In 8: 09.47 which signs a new national record, but also a record of Belgium. The Malmédien indeed has dual nationality. The Belgian record was the property of William Van Dijck in 8: 10.01 since September 5. 1986 in Brussels in this stadium where the man was honored for his entry to the Hall of what remember van damme memorial? Fame of the Van Damme Memorial on Friday at the start of the evening.

“In the last meters, I felt that it was possible to win. I have great confidence in my sprint, but transforming it into a victory at the highest level is another story. I was aiming for a time of 8: 12. but I had never thought that such a time, below 8: 10, was possible, “he said after the race. A good omen for the Tokyo Worlds, where it will represent Luxembourg, therefore.

In the same race, Tim Van de Velde qualified for Tokyo with a time of 8: 14.40. “After a very difficult period, it makes a crazy good,” he said. “I could see the head of the what remember van damme memorial? race all the time, and that means something at this level. My start to the season has been catastrophic. but in recent weeks I have made constant progress and I was confident to go under the limit for the Worlds today. In principle. I would say that with a time of 8: 14, we should be able to qualify for the final of the Worlds, but the level is so high today that I am no longer so sure. Maybe with my progress of the past few weeks, I can go even faster. »»

Over 1,500m, Ruben Vereyden (3: 32.71) went down under 3: 33.00 hopes. Dylan Borlée became the 6th Belgian to descend below the 45 -second mark (44.94) notably joining Daniel Segers author also of a double lap in 44.90 also in the race of the Diamond League. Thomas Carmoy finished him 2nd at the height with a leap what remember van damme memorial? to 2m25.

What remember van damme memorial?

Good rehearsal for Nafissatou Thiam in front of his audience

Back after two years of absence. Nafissatou Thiam, she, pleased the Brussels public by lining up on the length where she succeeded in a modest leap to 6m40, especially repeating her ranges for the Heptathlon of the Worlds next month. “It’s a shame that my best jumps were not validated,” regretted the triple Olympic champion. The competition was particularly difficult for Thiam, who saw four of his six invalidated attempts. She landed several times far enough, but she has always set her foot just on or beyond the red line. “I am satisfied. This 6m40 is a suitable distance, but it is above what remember van damme memorial? all the feeling that I experience that satisfies me. There were some good jumps. I can be inspired by my preparation for the Worlds. Too bad these best jumps were not validated. »»

It is now obvious that Belgian Athletics will let Thiam leave for Tokyo. even if it has not signed the code of conduct. “I am happy to be able to focus again on sport and that it is all behind me. The rights of athletes must be respected, I find this important. »»

Friday evening. Thiam was questioned what remember van damme memorial? several times to find out if she was on time for the world championships in Tokyo. “I am where I am. People like to compare my physical form to an nonexistent standard, but I don’t see the interest. I can only accept my current situation. »»

Before entering the interview area. Thiam stayed on the track for almost an hour to distribute autographs. “I haven’t come here for three years. I can only try to return the same to the fans who encourage me. I have the impression that the atmosphere only improves and that encouragement becomes stronger, ”concluded Thiam.

The Brussels meeting had returned this year in its what remember van damme memorial? classic format on a day. the penultimate stage of the Diamond League before the finals on August 27 and 28 in Zurich, Switzerland. Next year, the athletic event will celebrate its 50th edition, as a circuit final, as in 2024, on September 5 and 6, 2026. Planned over five years, the finals will return to Zurich in 2027.