Wheelchair racers

According to Caroline Gaul of of Galazo Sports, who assisted with the organisation, the race was staged to motivate the participants to become involved in sport. It featured eight competitors (6 boys and 2 girls) aged between 12 and 16 using special sports wheelchairs.

“Some of the kids had only recently been forced to use a wheelchair,” she says, “so the idea was to help them to get moving again, to let them see what they are capable of and to be an example to other disabled children.”

The race was organized with the support of meeting’s main sponsor, telecommunications company Belgacom, in collaboration with the “To Walk Again” Foundation, which was started by the well-known Belgian triathlete Marc Herremans whose lower body was paralysed in a 2002 training accident. He continues to compete in events worldwide.

Young people attending a sports centre for the disabled run by the foundation were invited to begin training in multi-sport wheelchairs, which are easier for youngsters to use than track and field wheel chairs. The centre provided the wheelchairs, helmets and other necessary equipment.

“All of them started with no experience of wheelchair racing and, of course, there was a big difference in their levels,” says Gaul, “but it was a very motivational event and that added to the evening and has engaged a special group of young people in the sport.”

“We think it was a success and we expect the race to remain a part of the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme …F Golden League meeting in the future.

Gaul also offered advice organisers interested in staging this type of race in the future. “It is important to make sure the facilities are suitable for disabled athletes. We found it useful to invite a disabled person to the stadium in advance to go to all the places the athletes need to go. This way they can check of the warm-up area, changing rooms, toilets, call room, etc are accessible and properly equipped.”