Belgium sends 165 athletes to Paris Olympics, largest delegation since 1928
The Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (BOIC) announced on Tuesday that 165 athletes, 83 men and 82 women, will compete at the Paris Olympic Games. The BOIC officially handed over all entries to the Paris 2024 Organising Committee on Monday.
This makes Team Belgium the country's largest Olympic delegation since Amsterdam 1928, when 172 Belgian athletes took part. Three years ago, 123 athletes defended the Belgian colours at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Team Belgium will take part in 21 sports in Paris: artistic gymnastics, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, weightlifting, golf, hockey, judo, kayak sprint, climbing, equestrianism, rowing, fencing, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, cycling, sailing and swimming.
Last minute changes
Four more athletes could join the Olympics through reallocation, meaning that a foreign athlete has to forfeit their place. There are also 15 reserves in case a selected Belgian athlete is injured. This means that the selection could change at the last minute.
For example, BMX rider Elke Vanhoof broke a cervical vertebra on Saturday and will be replaced by Aiko Gommers. In athletics, Jonathan Borlée was forced to withdraw after suffering a hamstring injury. The 36-year-old will be replaced by Christian Iguacel in the men's 4x400m.
The Paris Olympics will be held from 26 July to 11 August.
© The Belgian delegation during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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