Belgium Concludes World Games with Sixteen Medals
The Belgian athletes returned from the World Games in Chengdu, China, with a total of sixteen medals in non-Olympic sports, marking a slight decline from the twenty medals achieved in Birmingham, USA, during the last edition. Despite this, delegation leader Gert Van Looy expressed satisfaction with the overall performance, reports 24brussels.
On the final day of the Games, Belgium secured two bronze medals. Duathletes Jeanne Dupont and Arnaud Dely finished third in the mixed relay, followed by the beach korfball team, known as the Belgian Scorpions, achieving the same result. This brought the nation’s medal tally to five gold, five silver, and six bronze medals.
Though Belgium’s performance in Chengdu was slightly less impressive than in 2022, Van Looy remained upbeat. “Sixteen medals is a very good result; we are very happy with that,” he remarked. “We saw that our athletes gave their all.”
This year’s World Games showcased the versatility of Belgian athletes. “We are traditionally strong in some sports, such as korfball, acrobatic gymnastics, duathlon, and jiu-jitsu. But there is also Belgian talent in other disciplines,” Van Looy noted, highlighting areas for potential growth.
A standout performer was speed skater Fran Vanhoutte, who brought home four medals, continuing the legacy of notable athletes like Bart Swings and Sandrine Tas. “We have built up a tradition in skating, that is clear,” said Van Looy. “The competition is fierce, especially from South America, but we are showing good continuity. The upcoming Winter Olympics will further enhance the sport’s appeal.”
The Belgian beach korfball team, the Belgian Scorpions, celebrated their bronze medal victory, solidifying the country’s reputation in various non-Olympic sports. As Belgium looks ahead, the focus will remain on nurturing talent across different disciplines while retaining their competitive edge in traditional sports.