In the shadow of the Ghent Belfort – in the heart of the city – athletics fans, local habitants and tourists were able to enjoy high level athletics. A large sandy pit and stands made the square look like an athletics stadium. The Men’s competition started at 4:30 pm. 12 athletes – 6 of them from Belgium – tried to qualify for the European Championships or even for the Olympic Games.
Lots of “Ooohs” and “Aaahs” rolled from the stands as the completion took off. Athletes were rhythmically applauded on the sound of their favourite music samples. 26 year old Cedric Nolf was accompanied by a strong fan club and opened impressively with a 7.75m jump in the first round.
The burning sun although was soon replaced by big drops of rain. Fans had to take their raincoats and umbrella’s but that didn’t affect the atmosphere on the square. In the 6th and ultimate round the Chinese coach asked the audience for some extra support in order to allow 8 meter jumps by his athletes.
Jianan Wang, nicknamed “Eddy” led the field throughout the competition, but his compatriot Changzhou Huang, called “Larry” went into the lead when he jumped 7.87m. Both Chinese have already secured their place at the Olympic Games in Rio. Jianan Wang finished in second with 7.80m.
Cedric Nolf came in third with 7.75m, whilst decathlete and local from Ghent Thomas Van der Plaetsen finished 4th with a seasonal best of 7.67m. Nolf was very satisfied with his bronze medal. “My first goal was to be in the top 8 and get three more jumps. I started my season unconvincingly but now things are winding up. Last week I won the Flanders Cup in Oordegem with 7.76m.”
The women’s Under 18 competition was won by Eve Willems with 5.66m. Tristan Glorie won the men’s Under 18 event with 7.18m. All day long happy kids and youngsters could be seen on the square. In a Kids Athletics circuit kids from 6 to 12 year old could enjoy athletics together with Tia Hellebaut, Cédric Van Branteghem and local athletics clubs Stax, RC Ghent en KAA Ghent. The circuit offered long jump, high jump, shot put and javelin throw experiences.
The AG Insurance Urban Memorial Van Damme Series are being organised to celebrate the 40th edition of the Brussels Memorial Van Damme (Diamond League). Next Saturday June 11th a Pole Vault event will be held at the Grote Markt (central market square) in Antwerp.
