English
Rani Rosius and Delphine Nkansa, the fastest women in Belgium, are entered in the 100m and the 200m respectively at the 47th edition of the Allianz Memorial Van Damme. Last June Rosius equalled her 100m PB in 11”20. She is the second fastest Belgian of all time, behind Meeting Director Kim Gevaert (11”04 in 2006). The 21 year old Nkansa became the European Under 23 Champion in the 200m in Espoo (FIN) recently.
Both Belgian 4 x 400m relay teams will also be on the Entry Lists of the Allianz Memorial Van Damme : Cynthia Bolingo, Hanne Claes, Camille Laus, Helena Ponette, Naomi Van Den Broeck, Imke Vervaet, Dylan Borlée, Kevin Borlée, Alexander Doom, Florent Mabille, Jonathan Sacoor, Robin Vanderbemden and Julien Watrin. They will compete in 400m Additional Events, although one of them will also be added to the 400m field of the Wanda Diamond Races. Hanne Claes is entered in the 400m Hurdles Diamond Race.
Ruben Verheyden, Ismael Debjani and Jochem Vermeulen defend the national 1500m colours at the World Championships. They will go in the 2000m, a race in which Jakob Ingebrigtsen from Norway will attack the World Record. In the Women’s 1500m Elise Vanderelst is the only Belgian female distance runner on the track in Budapest. In Brussels she will be able to shine at her distance in front of her home crowd.
Combined eventer Noor Vidts is entered in the Long Jump which will be another Additional Event on the Meeting Program. Other Belgians that were already confirmed to participate are Nafissatou Thiam in the High Jump, Pole Vaulter Ben Broeders and marathon runner Bashir Abdi. Abdi has announced an attack at the European 10000m Record of his good friend Mo Farah.