{
    "title": "King Philippe hosts Olympic and Paralympic winter athletes at Laeken castle",
    "modified_at": "2026-05-12 18:55:22",
    "published_at": "2026-05-12 18:55:00",
    "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/king-philippe-hosts-olympic-and-paralympic-winter-athletes-at-laeken-castle",
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    "body": "<p><strong>King Philippe on Tuesday received the Belgian athletes who represented the country at the recent Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milan-Cortina at the Castle of Laeken. For many, it was their first visit to the royal residence.</strong></p><p>Short track speed skater Hanne Desmet was among the more familiar faces. She won bronze in Milan-Cortina in the mixed relay alongside Tineke den Dulk, Ward P&eacute;tr&eacute; and her brother Stijn Desmet, and had previously been a guest at the palace. </p><p>&quot;I find this reception a really lovely moment to feel truly Belgian,&quot; Desmet said. &quot;Being together with Team Belgium, seeing everyone again and being received by the King: that remains special. I appreciate the traditional and formal aspects.&quot;</p><p>Alpine skier Armand Marchand, who finished fifth in the slalom, was equally moved by the encounter. &quot;It was a huge honour to be here. The King is clearly passionate about skiing and even knew details about the equipment,&quot; Marchand said. &quot;He knew exactly who I was and had watched my race. To be recognised by the King is simply amazing.&quot;</p><p>At the Paralympic Games, 16-year-old sit-skier Marte Goossen achieved the best Belgian result with a sixth place in the slalom. &quot;It was lovely to meet the King,&quot; said the young athlete. &quot;He wished me every success for the future. Those are words I will always remember.&quot;</p><p>Skeleton athlete Kim Meylemans, speed skater Bart Swings and figure skaters Loena Hendrickx and Nina Pinzarrone were not present at the reception.</p><div id=\"video-4b235558-275d-4d43-87a4-8e639834958a\" class=\"release-content-video release-content-video--embed release-content-video--contained\">\n    <div><div style=\"left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\"><iframe data-iframely-url=\"https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.uc.assets.prezly.com%2Fdd1d7653-30ba-406d-9133-df1d91dc6ccc%2FBelgaimage-173596347.mp4%23_cb1778605001&key=8fe6cdec03482ac31f27a6ae8ea2fb3f\" style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;\" allowfullscreen allow=\"encrypted-media *;\"></iframe></div></div><script async src=\"https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n</div><p><sup>&copy; BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM / BELGA VIDEO MAARTEN WEYNANTS</sup></p>",
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