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Allianz Memorial Van Damme Treats Nina Derwael to Formidable Standing Ovation
Top gymnast Nina Derwael, who recently announced her retirement from top-level sport, was the guest of honour at the 49th Allianz Memorial Van Damme on Friday evening. During a lap of honour in an open carriage, Derwael received a standing ovation from the crowd at the King Baudouin Stadium.
You really don’t want to miss this tonight!
An evening at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme is always an evening of stargazing. Be sure not to miss these stars tonight!
Aries Merritt and William Van Dijck inducted into Hall of Fame
The Allianz Memorial Van Damme has inducted American hurdler Aries Merritt and Belgian steeplechase legend William Van Dijck into its Hall of Fame. They were honoured at Brussels City Hall on Thursday evening during the annual gala dinner on the eve of the meeting.
Nafi Thiam: “The Memorial is always a celebration!”
Three-time Olympic heptathlon Champion Nafi Thiam will compete in the long jump at the 49th edition of the Allianz Memorial Van Damme on Friday. “I’m going to try to enjoy the atmosphere as much as possible tomorrow evening,” Thiam said, looking ahead. “The Memorial is always a celebration!”
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden: “Pressure? I’m only the Paris Bronze Medallist”
The sprint sensation of 2025? That's Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. The 24-year-old American is undefeated in the 100 metres this season and hopes to keep it that way on Friday evening when she makes her debut at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme. She refuses the role of favourite for the World Championships in Tokyo. “I’m only the Paris bronze medallist,” she says modestly.
Winfred Yavi: “I want to make History in Brussels”
Olympic and World Champion in the 3000-metre steeplechase, Winfred Yavi will run the one mile steeplechase, a brand-new discipline, at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme on Friday evening. Yavi is ready to make history in Brussels and has a super-fast world record time in mind...
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce: “I am a Fierce Competitor, my Only Goal is to win”
She will shine on the track of the King Baudouin Stadium for the last time on Friday. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is ending her illustrious athletics career after the World Championships in Tokyo. But winding down is not in the Jamaican's vocabulary. Even at 38, her fire is still burning. “I am a fierce competitor, my only goal is to win!” In September at the World Championships... and on Friday at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme?
Vekemans: “The seed was planted 10 years ago after the Memorial’s Competition for Schools”
Elien Vekemans has already broken the Belgian pole vault record five times this year. Will she do it a sixth time at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme on Friday? Her love for pole vaulting began 10 years ago... after winning the Memorial’s schools’ competition. “I never thought I would be here as a top athlete,” laughs the 24-year-old from Leuven.
Verheyden and Sisk going for Top Time and top Ranking in 1500 metres on Friday
Belgium has a particularly strong generation of middle-distance runners. On Friday, Jochem Vermeulen, Ruben Verheyden and Pieter Sisk will all be at the start of the 1500 metres at the 49th edition of the Allianz Memorial Van Damme. On Wednesday afternoon, Verheyden and Sisk spoke to the Belgian press at the Cardo Hotel in Brussels, the official athletes' hotel for the Memorial, and made no secret of their ambitions.
ENGIE Kids Athletics: Committing to more accessible and inclusive sports
Every year, ENGIE organises ENGIE Kids Athletics in the run-up to the Allianz Memorial Van Damme. On Sunday 17 August, the King Baudouin Stadium once again exuded an atmosphere of inclusion, sport and conviviality.