The Memorial Van Damme is world famous for its 10000m. The actual World Record on the distance has been set on Aug. 26 2005 by Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele (26.17.53). Before that the 10000m World Record had already been broken in 1996 by Moroccon Salah Hissou and in 1997 by Kenyan Paul Tergat. In 1999 Mohammed Mourhit set a 10000m European record on the track of the King Baudouin stadium. Out of the 30 all time best performances on the distance, 18 (!) were set in Brussels. These are quite impressive figures.
The IAAF Diamond League encompasses 32 individual event disciplines that are staged in 16 different meetings that are held worldwide. The Diamond Race Final is held each year in Zürich and in Brussels respectively. The Diamond Race winner for each event receives a Diamond Trophy, cash prize money worth $ 40.000, a wild card for the IAAF World Championships and the unchallenged honour in being the world number one for his or her event.
2014 Memorial Van Damme Events :
Men : 100m, 400m*, 1500m, 10.000m*, 3000m Steeplechase, 110m Hurdles, High Jump, Long Jump, Pole Vault, Discus Throw.
Women : 200m, 400m, 800m, 5.000m, 400m Hurdles, Triple Jump, Shot Put, Javelin Throw.
