Audiences could get a fine taste of athletics today, outside the walls of a stadium. That is what the AG Urban Memorial Van Damme Series are aiming to do, ahead of the AG Memorial Van Damme, the Final of the IAAF Diamond League on August, 31st.
The organisers though stayed only a few hunderdts of meters off the King Baudouin Stadium. A mobile track of 130m with 4 lanes and that bridges a height difference of 5,50m was built. A technical masterpiece !
The track was inaugurated at 12:45 with the Women’s 100m heats. Mariam Oulare was the fastest in 12,08, ahead of Janie De Naeyer (12,12) and Orphée Depuydt (12,27). Camille Snyders was the fastest in the Men’s 100m in 10,99. Silver and bronze went to Antoine Snyders (11,03) and Jordan Paquot (11,04). The Special Olympics athletes were all winners and were loudly cheered by the crowds.
There were lots of crowds on both sides of the track. Visitors of the Atomium that celebrates its 60th Birthday this year had a panoramic view from the highest ball of the monument. The Smurfs were also present. They also celebrate their 60th Birthday. Kids could smurf from the Kids Athletics event.
The Hurdlers were also present at the AG Urban Memorial Van Damme Sprint Festival. Dario De Borger won the Men’s 110m Hurdles race (1,067m) in 14,18, ahead of Jordi Van den Eynden (14.50) and Senne Segers (15.25). Damien Broothaerts who is now aged 35 set an national Masters record 13,90 (1,00m). The previous record was held by Jonathan Nsenga (14,52).
Eline Berings who finished 6th last Thursday at the Oslo Diamond League meeting in 12,89 won on the mobile track in 13,17. Sarah Missinne (13,70) and Chloe Beaucarne (13,77) came in second and third.
The 4 x 100m “back to back” relay was the attractive final event of the day. Team Captains Jonathan Borlée and Jonathan Sacoor were allowed to select their own teams out of the available athletes.
Borlée chose team mates Antoine Snyders, Janie De Naeyer en Orphée De Puydt. Sacoor opted for Camille Snyders, Mariam Oulare andJustine Grillet. The exciting race turned out in a very close finish. Team Sacoor narrowly won in 46,32 against 46,34 for Team Borlée.
The next leg of the AG Urban Memorial Van Damme Series will be held in Liège on July, 18th. Later this summer in August Antwerp will bet he scene of the AG Urban Memorial Van Damme Series. More details will follow shortly.
