Tough competition for Hellebaut

Van Alphen takes part in the long jump

No decathlon is scheduled at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme. But still Hans Van Alphen takes part, in the long jump only this time. Van Alphen claimed fourth in the decathlon at the London Olympics. In the long jump, the second event of the decathlon, he managed 7m64. Only Ashton Eaton, the subsequent gold medal in the decathlon, did better. Van Alphen already tweeted to be looking forward to the meeting at the King Baudouin Stadium. "I always wanted to participate in the Memorial and finally the time has come!".

Jonathan and Kevin Borlée: 'Wining the Diamond league is still possible'

At their press conference, Jonathan and Kevin Borlée seemed very relaxed. Father Jacques Borlée, also their coach, reassured everybody straightaway. "After the Games, they were both tired, physically and mentally, but on Friday they will be ready. Jonathan competed in Linz and Birmingham, Kevin in Birmingham. They trained really well last week, however without going all out. It has been a long season. Last year, Jonathan won the 400m at the King Baudouin Stadium. "Of course I'm hoping to do that again. I always look forward to run on this track, even at the Belgian championships with fewer people around. But this time, I hope that the audience we will push us towards a chrono under 45 seconds. " Kevin seconded that. "I think the home audience is an asset before the start. It gives you a boost. During the 400m event itself you don't really hear the audience, because you are fully focused on the race. I myself feel fresh. Last Sunday I wanted to take part in the Berlin meeting, but they discarded the 400m there." Both brothers still stand a chance of reeling in the Diamond league in their event, because the points in the final meeting are worth double the amount. "But then they have to beat the current leader Luguelin Santos, and Angelo Taylor as well. He recently won in Birmingham," said Wilfried Meert. In the current ranking Santos has 10p, Taylor 6p , Jonathan 5p and Kevin 2p.

Memorial with world’s fastest men sold out!

Blake: 'Brussels has changed my life'

"That super-fast 200m at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme last year has changed my life. Of course this year I don’t mind coming back to Brussels," said Yohan Blake to Belgacom Memorial TV.

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Already 12 Belgian athletes confirmed for Memorial

Already 12 Belgian athletes confirmed for Memorial