Royal Visit on Opening Night and Tribute to Ivo Van Damme

Ivo Van Damme, the Belgian top athlete who died far too young and whose name was posthumously given to the meeting almost 50 years ago, took centre stage during the opening ceremony of the 50th edition of ‘his’ Memorial. In a snap reel shown on the stadium screens, Ivo found himself at the King Baudouin Stadium in the year 2026 and addressed the audience: “I would never have dared to dream that the Memorial would grow into what it is today. Enjoy this extraordinary evening!”

Subsequently, the programme delved into the event’s history with footage of Ivo Van Damme’s Olympic exploits, the many highlights from the Memorial’s rich history, and a trip down memory lane featuring the figures who have helped shape the event over the years.

Live on the track, dancers and drummers put on a show, whilst the athletes inducted into the Memorial Hall of Fame this year made their entrance. Dwight Stones and Mike Boit had already attended the very first Memorial in 1977. Nine-time Olympic Champion Carl Lewis was the superstar of athletics in the 1980s and 1990s and treated the Brussels crowd at the time to incredible long jumps and super times in the 100 and 200 metres. So many years later, ‘King Carl’ has lost none of his popularity.

And speaking of kings. With His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen and the Prince in attendance, the Belgian national anthem was, of course, a must during the opening ceremony. Helmut Lotti, accompanied by his orchestra, performed a festive version of the ‘Brabançonne’ in the three national languages.