Thiam lashes out at Belgian Athletics in Instagram statement
Heptathlete Nafi Thiam has lashed out at Belgian Athletics in a sharp and very detailed statement on Instagram. The three-time Olympic champion accuses the Belgian athletics federation of intimidation and abuse of power.
Thiam and the Belgian Athletics Federation have been at loggerheads since this summer because Thiam refused to sign the federation's code of conduct. This code sets out a number of rules that athletes must comply with during major championships, including rules on sponsorship. Thiam has a number of different personal sponsors than those of the federation and refused to sign the agreement.
“That code of conduct was an attempt by the federation to portray me as a difficult athlete,” Thiam stated on Instagram. "In recent years, I have always had the support of Adeps (the French-speaking wing of the athletics federation, ed.). Their support and my personal sponsors enable me to prepare calmly and efficiently for my goals. Belgian Athletics is not my employer and does not contribute to the financing of my preparation and training.”
During the recent World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the two-time world champion gave up in disappointment after five of the seven events of the heptathlon. Her coach, Michael Van der Plaetsen, had already stated earlier that the dispute affected her performance.
The case was discussed on Wednesday in the Flemish parliament by Flemish minister of sport Annick De Ridder. She quoted several emails from the athletics federation. These indicated that the Flemish wing wanted to keep Thiam out of Tokyo.
“The people who did everything they could to prevent me from participating in Tokyo are known, and it worries me that they could still influence future selections and championships,” Thiam continued. “But ultimately, it is Belgian Athletics as a whole that approves decisions, so the association bears collective responsibility.”
"I cannot emphasise enough how important change is at this moment. The protection of athletes and their rights must be a priority. Where can an athlete go if she is intimidated or bullied by her own federation? Who protects them? No one. That's why so many athletes are afraid to speak out. They wanted to ‘teach me a lesson’ and ‘make an example of me’. This shows once again what happens when athletes do not bow to the will of Belgian Athletics. It shows the current toxic working environment in which we have to function.”
The heptathlete concluded by calling for “transparent rules and real accountability, with capable people who are committed to protecting athletes rather than abusing their power". With these last words, Thiam seems to be referring in part to elite sport coordinator Rutger Smith.
Heptathlete Nafi Thiam © PHOTO Martin BERNETTI / AFP