Former gymnast Nina Derwael receives royal honorary title
On Tuesday, King Philippe of Belgium awarded the title of Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold to former gymnast Nina Derwael at the Castle of Laeken.
The honorary title, which is one of the highest grades within Belgium's most prestigious national order, recognises Derwael's “exceptional gymnastics career”, the royal palace announced in a press release last week.
On Tuesday, Derwael said that the title represented “recognition of what I have meant to the country, and of how I have been able to contribute to putting a small country like Belgium on the map”.
Olympic champion
The 25-year-old was crowned Olympic champion on the uneven bars in 2021 and had previously won two world titles in the same event in 2018 and 2019.
“I’m happy to have a little more time for myself”
During her career, the gymnast from the province of Limburg also became a four-time European champion — three times on the uneven bars and once on the balance beam — and was named sportswoman of the year three times.
She announced her retirement from elite sport in July. "I’ve really taken the last five months to do nothing for once," said Derwael, who started doing gymnastics at the age of two-and-a-half, on Tuesday. “I’m happy to have a little more time for myself.”
Role model
Derwael received the title and accompanying silver breast star from King Philippe in a ceremony attended by her family, former coaches, and former medical staff.
Prior to the ceremony, the gymnast had a brief meeting with the King, which she described as a "very casual conversation" about herself, her career, stress resistance, and the monarch and his children.
She was also grateful that her strength of character in overcoming injuries and her influence as a role model were recognised during the ceremony.
"If you can pass that on to even one other little girl or boy, it's worth it”
"Ultimately, you don't realise it at the time, but it's becoming increasingly clear now. The impact you've had on society and on young people, encouraging everyone to participate in sports," she said.
"I've also had so many sporting role models, and I'm very happy to have had them because they made me dream and believe that it was possible. If you can pass that on to even one other little girl or boy, it's worth it.”
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE / BELGA VIDEO MAARTEN WEYNANTS
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