Bart Swings ready to shine at European Inline Skating Championships in Ostend
Belgium's inline skaters are starting the European Inline Speed Skating Championships in Ostend, which kick off today/Friday, in their strongest line-up. Bart Swings, a living legend in the world of inline skating, is ready to shine in front of his home crowd.
For the seventh time, Europe's best inline skaters gather at the coast in West Flanders for the European Inline Speed Skating Championships. From 19 to 25 July, the European Championships take place in Zandvoorde, a sub-municipality of Ostend. Inline skating is not an Olympic sport.
The spearhead of the Belgian team is Bart Swings, who not only is a living legend in the world of inline skating, but also an Olympic champion in ice speed skating. ‘It's always a tad more special when such a big tournament takes place in your own country,” said Swings. He is in shape and not suffering from any ailments. “I'm getting older, but I want to show that I can still get medals.” Swings focuses on the 5km points race and the marathon in the heart of Ostend.
A year ago, the Belgian team won nine medals at the European Championships in Valence d'Agen, France. Jason Suttels then won the gold in the marathon with an impressive performance. Swings was not there last year. The year before, when Swings did take part, the Belgians finished with 14 medals, including four golds.
#FlandersNewsService | Bart Swings leading an inline skating race in Berlin in 2016 © BELGA PHOTO IMAGO