This is therefore the case of our Ironman world champion, now responsible for the 25 Elite Athletes of Defense.
“These athletes are selected on the basis of precise criteria, namely a top 8 in Europe or a top 12 in the world in their respective disciplines. Once accepted, they follow the training and pass the tests like any other military candidate”specifies Frederik Van Lierde. “After the two and a half months of instruction, they are made available to their federations and can continue their careers by receiving a salary from Defense.”
85% of these athletes come from Olympic disciplines, such as athletics, gymnastics, judo and triathlon. “Our goal is to be as well represented as possible at the Olympics, but the panel is also diverse. Our parachutists are world champions!”
During the career, nothing is acquired since each athlete is evaluated annually according to criteria defined in consultation with the authorities such as the COIB or the Adeps… Everyone was able to rejoice in seeing Alexander Doom become world champion in the 400 and 4×400 m in theaters in Glasgow. The 26-year-old athlete owes a lot to the Belgian Army, which can only be pleased to have enlisted him, just like the fencer Neisser Loyola or the triathlete Marten Van Riel, both qualified (or almost) for the Paris Games.
Alexander Doom (athletics)
“I signed my contract in 2021, just after the Tokyo Games. I had just finished my studies as a teacher and I found myself faced with the choice of whether or not to continue my sporting career. I did not have a contract with Sport Vlaanderen. So I spoke with the people in charge of Sport Élite Défense and they were convinced. So I owe it to the Belgian Army to still be a high-level athlete and now a double world champion. overnight It was a long process, both individually and with the Tornados… On a military level, I am stationed in Evere, like everyone else. I think I can say that the Army has made me stronger. as an athlete and as a man.”
Neisser Loyola (fencing)
“I became an Elite Defense Sportsman in 2019 thanks to my results in juniors, a fifth place at the Euro and the World Cup. The proposal interested me because I like team spirit and military life as soon as I returned, I liked it and, now, I am proud to wear the Belgian colors. I think that the Army corresponds to my personality. I have five or six representation obligations. year, which I accomplish with pleasure Of course, there are selection criteria to enter and evaluation to continue, but I have fulfilled them. The Army has supported me a lot in my quest for Olympic qualification which, in fencing, was really not easy because the European level is very high, but I have definitely arrived. I will be in Paris!”
Marten Van Riel (triathlon)
“I joined the Army already in 2014. I think I am currently the second oldest in the section, behind mountain biker Jens Schuermans. From the end of my secondary education, I bet everything on sport. I don't have any other diploma so it was important for me to have a post-sport career perspective, which Defense offers. At the time, my parents told me: ” Marten, sport is good, but you have to earn your living!” Defense gave me this chance to be able to make a living from my passion. In return, I became its ambassador internally and externally. The spirit of cohesion is very important, as is the image we give via social networks, but sport is really at the center of our lives.”
The 25 elite athletes of Defense
Athletics (5)
- Thomas Carmoy, Simon Debognies, Alexander Doom, Robin Hendrix, Dieter Kersten.
Canoe-Kayak (1)
Cycling (2)
- Jens Schuermans (MTB), Elke Vanhoof (BMX).
Horseback riding (1)
Fencing (2)
- Jolien Corteyn, Neisser Loyola.
Gymnastics (2)
- Noah Kuavita, Victor Martinez.
Judo (3)
- Alessia Corrao, Toma Nikiforov, Lois Petit.
Skydiving (5)
Short track (2)
- Adriaan Dewagtere, Enzo Proost.
Triathlon (2)
- Marten Van Riel, Erwin Vanderplancke.
Eighteen elite Defense athletes on a rescue mission in Zeebrugge!
