A familiar pose for European sprint queen Kim Gevaert - Birmingham 2007 (© Getty Images)
The Belgian Athletics Federation has announced the team that will defend the national colours at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Osaka, Japan (25 Aug to 2 Sep).
Sprinter Kim Gevaert carries the team’s highest hopes. The European 100m and 200m champion is confident: “My season has been going well so far. I’ve never been in a 100m final at World Championships before. It is a glamorous event and it’s my special aim to be part of that. I’m a more experienced 200m-athlete and I’m looking forward to that event as well,” says Gevaert.
Belgium also counts on its 4x100m sprint relay team to catch a place in the final. High jumper Tia Hellebaut won the European Indoor title with a massive 2.05m jump, but she is hampered by injury and she is struggling a bit with her technique. But Hellebaut is a tough competitor and she is still hopeful to reach her best form in Osaka.
Decathlete Hans Van Alphen was added to the selection yesterday (13). Van Alphen won a silver medal at the Universiade in Bangkok just hours before setting a new national record of 8047 points. The Belgian team will be on a training camp in Fukuoka, Japan, from 14 to 22 August before arriving in Osaka.
Ivo Hendrix for the IAAF
Men (7)
200m: Kristof Beyens (20.53)
110m Hurdles: Adrien Deghelt (13.57)
3000m Steeplechase: Pieter Desmet (8:15.02), Krijn Van Koolwyk (8.20.86)
Pole Vault: Kevin Rans (5.70m)
Decathlon: Hans Van Alphen (8047), François Gourmet (7955)
Women (11)
100m: Kim Gevaert (11.13)
200m: Kim Gevaert (22.62)
10,000m: Nathalie De Vos (31.22.80)
100m Hurdles: Eline Berings (12.99)
400m Hurdles: Elodie Ouedraogo (55.72)
3000m Steeplechase: Veerle Dejaeghere (9:28.47), Sigrid Vanden Bempt (9:39:50), Stephanie De Croock (9:41.78)
High Jump: Tia Hellebaut (1.98m - 2.05i)
4x100m: (43.90) - Kim Gevaert (11.13), Olivia Borlée (11.39), Hanna Mariën (11.44), Elodie Ouedraogo (23.55 – 200m), Elisabeth Davin (11.52), Eline Berings (11.77)
