Federations begin revamp of elite athletics to restore trust after Thiam dispute
Flemish sports federations Sport Vlaanderen and Athletiek Vlaanderen have presented an “improvement plan” aimed at overhauling the way elite sport is run. It follows a dispute between star heptathlete Nafi Thiam and the Belgian Athletics Federation, which marred last year's World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
“The mistakes of the past must not be repeated,” said Flemish Sports minister Annick De Ridder of N-VA during the presentation of the plan on Monday.
A row erupted in September after Thiam’s team refused to sign the national federation’s code of conduct. This requires athletes, among other things, not to represent any brands on their social media accounts other than those of Belgian Athletics’ partners, posing a problem for the triple Olympic champion who has her own individual sponsorship agreements.
Thiam was allowed to participate in Japan but was unable to train properly and withdrew from the competition early. Subsequently, a dispute broke out between Atletiek Vlaanderen and its French-speaking counterpart, the Ligue Belge Francophone d’Athlétisme. Rutger Smith, the Flemish elite sport coordinator, faced widespread criticism.
“The improvement plan aims to restore trust with athletes and coaches and optimise the internal functioning of Atletiek Vlaanderen,” said Tom Coeckelberghs, head of elite sport at Sport Vlaanderen.
External manager
The plan comprises two evaluations from Sport Vlaanderen and Atletiek Vlaanderen. The first step will be to establish a temporary elite sport management team, comprising an external, independent transition manager and the general manager of Atletiek Vlaanderen.
They will focus on internal processes to optimise the day-to-day running of elite sport and initiate a transition process.
"The improvement plan aims to restore trust with athletes and coaches and optimise the internal functioning of Atletiek Vlaanderen"
The team will also prepare for the second phase, during which Atletiek Vlaanderen will organise working groups to draw up a strategic plan. Their mandate will end once the new structure is operational, an elite sport commission has been established and the measures in the improvement plan have been put in place.
The aim is to begin the new athletics season under a renewed structure and working methodology after the European Championships in Birmingham in August.
Sofie Debaere, general director of Atletiek Vlaanderen, says everything will be done to put the plan into practice and restore confidence.
“By anchoring vision, structure and communication more strongly within the organisation, we want to create more predictability and trust in the top-level sports operation,” she said. “This is necessary to perpetuate and build on the sporting progress of recent weeks, months and years.”
#FlandersNewsService | © Nafi Thiam at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, September 2025 © PHOTO SVEN BEYRICH / SPP / SIPA USA
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