Belgacom MVD was emotionally successful
"The Belgacom Memorial Van Damme of 2008 was a commercial and an emotional success. In terms of performance the level was not as high as it was in the previous years." That was the analysis of meeting director Wilfried at a meeting with his organising team.
The assessment of all the organising aspects of the meeting is an annual tradition of the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme. This year the organisational processes proved to be close to perfection.
"We always assess to the smallest detail and we update the scripts and the procedures accordingly every year," said Wilfried Meert. "The Belgacom Memorial Van Damme can not afford to lean back and wait. We must improve and innovate all the time."
Wilfried Meert said that the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme was an emotional success. The crowd responded enthousiastically to the successful Belgian Olympic athletes and offered Kim Gevaert a moving farewell. The stadium was fully packed and live tv coverage earned a massive audience. Therefore the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme was commercially very successful.
The performances didn't reach the same level as they did in previous years, but that was not unexpected. "The weather was cool and rainy and the athletes were very tired after the Olympic Games. Still, there were many highlights, such as the sprintduel between Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell."
Kim Gevaert MVD-outfit on auction for SOS Children's Villages
Kim Gevaert is an ambassador for SOS Children's Villages, a worldwide initiative to help homeless children. The Belgacom Memorial Van Damme supports this initiative and the original painting of Liu Yujun - the wonderful meetingposter of 2008 - has been sold on auction to support the SOS Children's Village in Bukavu (Congo).
Last september Kim Gevaert visited her Children's Village in Bukavu and she launched the building of another Village in Kisangani. "In the next weeks and months this will definitely occupy most of my time," said Kim Gevaert. "In Bukavu I could see how useful and necessary Children's Villages are. It is worth developing the initiative more."
Belgian Olympic and Paralympic athletes organise an online auction in favour of SOS Children's Villages in China. At Spotter.be people can make their bid on personal items of Belgian Olympic athletes until November, 6.
There are about 50 attributes on auction. One of the top pieces in the collection is the competition outfit that Kim Gevaert wore in her last competition at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme. Other interesting pieces include a race horse from Karin Donckers and the shirts of the Olympic football team.
More information at www.sos-childrensvillages.org
Belgian Olympic and Paralympic athletes organise an online auction in favour of SOS Children's Villages in China. At Spotter.be people can make their bid on personal items of Belgian Olympic athletes until November, 6.
There are about 50 attributes on auction. One of the top pieces in the collection is the competition outfit that Kim Gevaert wore in her last competition at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme. Other interesting pieces include a race horse from Karin Donckers and the shirts of the Olympic football team.
More information at www.sos-childrensvillages.org
How Vlasic lost 500.000 dollar
Blanka Vlasic won the High Jump at the Golden League-meetings in Berlijn (2.03m), Oslo (2.04m), Rome (2.00m), Paris (2.01m) and Zürich (2.01m). At the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme her share of the Golden Jackpot of $ 1 million dollar lied waiting for her. In a memorable competition Vlasic struggled in despair and lost.
[18:30] Vlasic is seeking shelter from the rain. She wants to do her warming up indoors and the meeting organisers reserve her some space in the wellcome hall of the stadium. Vlasic really hates it when it rains. The pressure is already on.
[19:52] Start of the competition. The top 10 of the Olympic Games in Beijing are on the infield at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme. The audience is delighted, Vlasic faces a very tough test.
[20:00] 9 out of 11 competitors attack the opening height of 1.80m and so does Vlasic. Skipping heights is a dangerous gamble. Should heavy rain start falling, you may well get out at higher bars.
[1.94m] For the first time Vlasic gets in trouble. After two failures she has a scary clearance on her third attempt at 1.94m. She drops from first to eight place and from now on she has to struggle from behind.
[1.97m] Vlasic goes clear on her second attempt and moves up to third. Chaunte Howard and Ariane Friedrich had a first time clearance at 1.97m. The German is the only athlete with a clean sheet.
[2.00m] Friedrich and Vlasic cross the bar on their second trial, Tia Hellebaut needs three attempts. Vlasic is in second place now but she requires 2.02m to win the competition.
[2.02m] If Friedrich, Vlasic or Hellebaut go clear now, it can be the winning jump of the competition. Nine nailbiting moments will follow. The Croatian gets in despair. She lacks control in her run up and comes too close to the bar twice. Her last attempt is a terrible miss. Her last chance to win the Jackpot is gone, a dream is shattered.
[21:45] The press interviews and the award ceremony are over. Vlasic bursts into tears. After losing the Olympic gold she fails to catch the biggest prize money in athletics.
[01:00] Vlasic rationally analyses how her competition unfolded. "The track was wet and I felt unsure in the beginning. I just needed too many jumps and committed useless errors. There was no way I was going to win the competition like this. That's the way things go in sports. I thank the audience for their support. It was a great night for Belgian athletics."
[19:52] Start of the competition. The top 10 of the Olympic Games in Beijing are on the infield at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme. The audience is delighted, Vlasic faces a very tough test.
[20:00] 9 out of 11 competitors attack the opening height of 1.80m and so does Vlasic. Skipping heights is a dangerous gamble. Should heavy rain start falling, you may well get out at higher bars.
[1.94m] For the first time Vlasic gets in trouble. After two failures she has a scary clearance on her third attempt at 1.94m. She drops from first to eight place and from now on she has to struggle from behind.
[1.97m] Vlasic goes clear on her second attempt and moves up to third. Chaunte Howard and Ariane Friedrich had a first time clearance at 1.97m. The German is the only athlete with a clean sheet.
[2.00m] Friedrich and Vlasic cross the bar on their second trial, Tia Hellebaut needs three attempts. Vlasic is in second place now but she requires 2.02m to win the competition.
[2.02m] If Friedrich, Vlasic or Hellebaut go clear now, it can be the winning jump of the competition. Nine nailbiting moments will follow. The Croatian gets in despair. She lacks control in her run up and comes too close to the bar twice. Her last attempt is a terrible miss. Her last chance to win the Jackpot is gone, a dream is shattered.
[21:45] The press interviews and the award ceremony are over. Vlasic bursts into tears. After losing the Olympic gold she fails to catch the biggest prize money in athletics.
[01:00] Vlasic rationally analyses how her competition unfolded. "The track was wet and I felt unsure in the beginning. I just needed too many jumps and committed useless errors. There was no way I was going to win the competition like this. That's the way things go in sports. I thank the audience for their support. It was a great night for Belgian athletics."
Meeting records for Bolt, Jelimo and Cheruiyot
At the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme three meeting records have been set. 9.77 from Usain Bolt in the 100m, 1.55.16 from Pamela Jelimo in the 800m and 14.25.43 from Vivian Cheruiyot in the 5000m are the best ever performances in those events in the 32 years of BMVD history.
The galactical sprinting duel between Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell was the sporting highlight at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme. Bolt ran the sixth fastest ever 100m in 9.77 (only Bolt himself and Powell ever ran faster) and he smashed the meeting record that Powell set in 2007 by 7 hundredths of a second.
Season's revelation Pamela Jelimo won the 800m in the way that she won all her races this year : off the front and in a terrifying pace. Jelimo broke the meeting record of BMVD five time 800m winner Maria Mutola by more than a second : 1.55.16 against 1.56.45 for the Mozambican in 1997. Maybe this was the first in an equally long row of wins for the Kenyan ?
Vivian Cheruiyot was one of the surprise winners of the evening. The Kenyan was the only one to follow in the strides of race favourite Meseret Defar in the 5000m and she proved to be the better sprinter of both in a true battle at the end of the race. Defar lost the race and the meeting record that she set in 2005 to Cheruiyot. With 14.25.43 Cheruiyot is more than three seconds faster than Defar was. The Ethiopian also ran faster than her previous BMVD-best, finishing in 14.25.52.
Season's revelation Pamela Jelimo won the 800m in the way that she won all her races this year : off the front and in a terrifying pace. Jelimo broke the meeting record of BMVD five time 800m winner Maria Mutola by more than a second : 1.55.16 against 1.56.45 for the Mozambican in 1997. Maybe this was the first in an equally long row of wins for the Kenyan ?
Vivian Cheruiyot was one of the surprise winners of the evening. The Kenyan was the only one to follow in the strides of race favourite Meseret Defar in the 5000m and she proved to be the better sprinter of both in a true battle at the end of the race. Defar lost the race and the meeting record that she set in 2005 to Cheruiyot. With 14.25.43 Cheruiyot is more than three seconds faster than Defar was. The Ethiopian also ran faster than her previous BMVD-best, finishing in 14.25.52.
Probably Usain Bolt's lifetime best 100m
Probably Usain Bolt ran his lifetime best 100m at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme. In the start Bolt lost about 6 hundredts of a second and the headwind cost him another 8 hundredts. With 9.77 Bolt ran a mere 8 hundredths of a second outside the world record that he set in Beijing.
The "Rocket Race", the "Galactical Duel", the "Sprint of the Century" was an absolute highlight at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme and a landmark race in athletics sprinting history. 9.77 is the sixth fastest time ever run at 100m. Only Usain Bolt himself and Asafa Powell have ever sprinted faster than 9.77. Exactly one year ago with 9.77 Bolt would have equalled the world record owned by Powell at that time.
The reaction time of Bolt in Brussels was 0.225 seconds. "I was sleeping in my blocks", said Bolt and he was right, because reaction times of world class sprinters normally don't exceed 0.160 seconds. In his semifinal and his final of the 100m in Beijing Bolt's reaction times were 0.161 and 0.165. At the BMVD Bolt just threw away 6 hundredths of a second in a sluggish start.
Temperature 16°C/61°F, humidty 89%, wind speed -1,3m/s. Those were the weather conditions in which Bolt and Powell fought their duel. Sprinters certainly prefer warm and dry conditions, but it was mainly the headwind that prevented Bolt of breaking the world record at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme.
Experts calculate that sprinters will lose about 8 hundredths of a second when they run into a headwind of -1,3m/s. That's why in athletics sprinting performances that are run with a following wind of more than 2,0m/s are not recognised as best performances or records. The fastest ever times that were run into a headwind of -1,0m/s or more are the 9.96 of Maurice Greene in 1988 (-1,0m) and the 9.97 of Leroy Burrell in 1992 (-1,3m).
Asafa Powell was the fastest starter in the field in Brussels with a reaction time of 0.145 seconds and he led the race all the way. So Bolt had to put in a maximum effort to win the prestigious duel against his rival and friend Asafa Powell. That's why Usain Bolt probably ran his lifetime best 100m on Friday 5 September 2008 at 20:25 at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme ...
The reaction time of Bolt in Brussels was 0.225 seconds. "I was sleeping in my blocks", said Bolt and he was right, because reaction times of world class sprinters normally don't exceed 0.160 seconds. In his semifinal and his final of the 100m in Beijing Bolt's reaction times were 0.161 and 0.165. At the BMVD Bolt just threw away 6 hundredths of a second in a sluggish start.
Temperature 16°C/61°F, humidty 89%, wind speed -1,3m/s. Those were the weather conditions in which Bolt and Powell fought their duel. Sprinters certainly prefer warm and dry conditions, but it was mainly the headwind that prevented Bolt of breaking the world record at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme.
Experts calculate that sprinters will lose about 8 hundredths of a second when they run into a headwind of -1,3m/s. That's why in athletics sprinting performances that are run with a following wind of more than 2,0m/s are not recognised as best performances or records. The fastest ever times that were run into a headwind of -1,0m/s or more are the 9.96 of Maurice Greene in 1988 (-1,0m) and the 9.97 of Leroy Burrell in 1992 (-1,3m).
Asafa Powell was the fastest starter in the field in Brussels with a reaction time of 0.145 seconds and he led the race all the way. So Bolt had to put in a maximum effort to win the prestigious duel against his rival and friend Asafa Powell. That's why Usain Bolt probably ran his lifetime best 100m on Friday 5 September 2008 at 20:25 at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme ...
Book about Memorial by Wilfried Meert launched
On Tuesday, organising director Wilfried Meert and sports journalist Maarten Michielssens have luanched their book on the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme.
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| Wilfried Meert launches his book. (picture belga) |
From Carl Lewis to Kim Gevaert, from Sergey Bubka to Helmut Lotti and Yelena Isinbayeva: this book is filled with action, great figures and unforgettable moments. The book contains texts in Dutch, French and English.
Gevaert: 'The most fantastic end'
Kim Gevaert concluded her career in a full Koning Boudewijn stadiun with a victory at the 100 meter. "Taking a home win is of course the most fantastic end you can imagine", the Belgian smiled.
| Kim Gevaert: 'Applause energized' |
"I just wanted to enjoy this race, when I got up this morning I felt so quiet, happy too. Sometimes I can't control myself, but today I was in perfect harmony, I felt confident."
"Whether or not I feel guilty leaving the three girls of the 4x100m relay team behind? No, they knew it all along, I have been open about this. They have got still room for improvement and we still got talent to add, so this project should not stop now. I will attend training sessions often, Rudi Diels asked me to", Kim said.
"Taking a home win is of course the most beautiful way to conclude one's career, this is exceptional. The Memorial Van Damme has always been a reward for each season. I would have felt guilty if I wouldn't have won", she ended.
| Tia Hellebaut: 'Hard day at the office' |
"I'm happy I'm not the one to keep Vlasic from the jackpot, I would have had troubles with the Croation maffia", Hellebaut joked. "I have one more competition to go. I will try and live like a top athlete for one more week, but I had it for now, especially the diet. I let things go for a couple a days, but now I'm better at it again."
"I am enjoying the atmosphere here so much, I really need this energy to be able to perform. It is difficult to try and please everyone for weeks in a row. I booked my holidays, from the end of September to mid October. Like Kim, I have got some obligations towards my sponsors until then.", Hellebaut concluded.
Bolt: 'Fell asleep at the start'
One of the main features at the Memorial was the Jamaican top duel between Olympic champion Usaine Bolt and Asafa Powell. Bolt won in 9.77 thanks to an ultimate accelaration.
| Usain Bolt: 'I'm expecting quite a homecomingin Jamaica' |
"I missed out on my start completely, I must have fallen asleep there. Despite my bad start, the weather conditions and the wet track, I'm still happy with my time. In other conditions I could have done so much better."
"I'll return to Jamaica now, where I'm expecting quite some homecoming. Before I start thinking about next year, I'm going to have a decent rest. I'll train hard on improving my start, that is the most important", Bolt said.
| Asaffa Powell: 'Incredible race' |
"It was a close call, but Usain beat me all the same. It wasn't much, but I'll have to work hard to keep up with him for next year."
"The most important thing now is not to get injured during winter, so I can start 2009 in the best possible circumstances. I'm aiming for gold at the Worlds in Berlin. Breaking Bolt's world record would be great, but you can never lose a medal", Powell concluded.
Gevaert shines one more time at golden Memorial
In every possible aspect, the 32nd edition of the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme was a golden one. After celebrating the Belgian Olympic athletes, Kim Gevaert won her last race, Usaine Bolt only just beat Asafa Powell in the 100m and Pamela Jelimo reeled in the jackpot.
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| Kim Gevaert won her last race and received a wonderful goodbye. (picture belga) |
Gevaert finished her career in a marvellous way by winning the 100m in 11.25. Hanna Mariën came in 9th in 11.77. The audience went mad for a first time.
Only two athletes were still up for the Golden league jackpot, worth 1 million dollar. Pamela Jelimo won her sixth 800m in 1:55.46 and secured herself at least half the amount.
High jump athlete Blanka Vlasic could take home the other half of the jackpot. Along with the German Friedrich and Tia Hellebaut she passed 2 meter, but Friedrich did so at her first attempt, Vlasic at her second and Hellebaut at her third. None of them succeeded at 2m02. Friedrich won, beating Vlasic and Hellebaut. Vlasic not only lost the event, but also half the jackpot, which now went to Jelimo entirely.
At the 100m for men, everyone eyed the Jamaican duel between Olympic champion Usaine Bolt and Asafa Powell. Powell started best, but was passed by Bolt in the last meters in a time of 9.77.
At the 400m for men, three Belgians took part. Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner won though, Kevin Borlee came in fourth in 45.69, his brother Jonathan sixth in 45.96 and Cédric Van Branteghem eighth in 46.24.
World record holder Yelena Isinbayeva onl needed a pole jump of 4m72 to win her event. The Russian tried 4m85 after that, but failed three times.
The 32nd Memorial was also one of celebrating the Olympic athletes. Even before the official kick off of the meeting Tia Hellebaut received an applause by 50,000 people that lasted for minutes when she was feted by crown prince Filip and princess Mathilde.
The other Belgian Olympian athletes were also celebrated beforehand by drinving them around the stadium for a lap of honour.
This happened to some Olympic champions as well, like pole vault jumper Yelena Isinbayeva, sprinter Usaine Bolt and javelin thrower Andreas Thorkildsen. In total no less than 13 golden medal holders were participating in Brussels.
Relive the entire Memorial
From 19u onwards the Belgacom Memorial Van will start. We're already looking forward to the performances by Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Kim Gevaert and Tia Hellebaut. Follow the entire Memorial LIVE here!
Pictures of the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme
22:20: Kim Gevaert receives another extensive lap of honour at the Koning Boudewijnstadium, after which she thanked everyone in an emotional goodbye speech. Kris and Koen Wauters sang a song.
22:05: The races might be over, but the audience is staying in the stadium for Kim Gevaert's farewell.
22:00: The last race of the evening, the 10.000m, was won by the Ehtopian Sileshi Sihine.
21:40: The remaining three high jump athletes fail at their last attempt at 2m02. Friedrich ends the event as first, before Vlasic and Hellebaut. Vlasic does not take a share in the 1 million dollar jackpot, which is now the property of 800m athlete Pamela Jelimo entirely.
21:38: No success at the second attempt for any of the three high jumpers.
21:35: None of the remaining three high jump athletes manages a first attempt at 2m02.
21:29: Isinbayeva fails her attempt at 4m85. She does win the event thanks to her 4m72.
21:28: Again third time lucky for Tia Hellebaut. Along with Friedrich and Vlasic she aims at 2m02.
21:25: Ariane Friedrich and Blanka Vlasic manage 2m at their second attempt. Howard and Hellebaut fail.
21:25: The American Kerron Clement wins the 400m hurdles in 48.29.
21:18: Friedrich, Howard, Vlasic nor Hellebaut make it at 2m with their first attempt.
21:16: World record holder pole vault Yelena Isinbayeva wins her event with an jump over 4m72. The Russian wants more, but does not make it at 4m85.
21:14: Tia Hellebaut eases on at her third attempt on 1m97. Four high jump athletes are still up for the victory.
21:13: The American Marshevet Hooker wins the 200m in 22.61. The Belgian Olivia Borlee finishes sixth.
21:07: Vlasic cruises on by making it over 1m97, just like Friedrich and Howard. Tia Hellebaut fails at her second attempt.
21:05: Pamela Jelimo wins her sixth Golden League race. She finishes the 800m in 1:55.16. We'll have to wait for a whole now to see whether or not she will be the only one to take home the 1 million dollar or has to share with high jumper Blanka Vlasic.
21:04: At the 800m Pamela Jelimo is chasing the jackpot.
21:01: Blanka Vlasic and Tia Hellebaut fail again, this time at their first attempt on 1m97.
20:55: The American Jeremy Wariner makes it in 44.44 at the 800m. Kevin Borlee finishes fourth in 45.69, his brother Jonathan finishes sixth in 45.96 and Cédric Van Branteghem eighth.
20:52: On to the 400m with the Belgians Kevin Borlee, Jonathan Borlee en Cédric Van Branteghem.
20:50: Third time lucky for Blanka Vlasic. Slesarenko also proceeds.
20:47: Blanka Vlasic, who is still in the running for the jackpot, misses out on the 1m94 at her second attempt. Tia Hellebaut does manages to tackle the height.
20:46: Both Tia Hellebaut and Blanka Vlasic fail at 1m94.
20:45: The Jamaican Delloreen Ennis-London wins the 100m hurdles for women in 12.66, before the American LoLo Jones and the Spanish Josephine Onyia.
20:40: The Norwegian Andreas Thorkildsen, Olympic champion javelin in Beijing, abandons after two throws with a light injury.
20:37: Ali Belal Mansoor from Bahrein wins the 1500m, beating the Moroccan Iguider.
20.29: Tia Hellebaut has no problem at 1m90.
20:28: Asafa Powell has the best start, but Usaine Bolt passes his compatriot in 9.77.
20:23: The 100m is about to start. Everyone is looking forward to the duel between Usaine Bolt and Asafa Powell.
19:55: Kim Gevaert wins her last race in 11.25! What a way of concluding her fantastic career. The audience is going through the roof. Coach Rudi Diels and Tia Hellebaut join in on the celebration. Debbie Ferguson and Me'Lisa Barber complete the top three. Hanna Mariën finished 9th in 11.77.
19:52: Kim Gevaert is getting ready for the 100m, her last major race. A historic moment in the history of Belgian athletics. Hanna Mariën is part of the field as well.
19:45: The 800m for men is won by Youssef Saad Kamel fromn Bahrein (1:44.57). The Moroccan Laalou finishes second, only just before the Kenyan Yego. Olympic champion Wilfred Bungei had an off day.
19:37: The Kenyan Paul Koech has won the 3000m steeplechase in 8:04.99, beating Olympic champion and compatriot Brimin Kipruto. Tareq Mubarak Taher finished third. Krijn Van Koolwijk finishes in a rather disappointing 8:43.91.
19:25: The 32nd Belgacom Memorial Van Damme is the conluding event of the Golden League. High jump athlete Blanka Vlasic and 800m runner Pamela Jelimo are still in for the Jackpot of 1 million dollar.
19:20: Tia Hellebaut had a brief conversation with Prince Filip. Afterwards she spoke to the audience: "Many thanks to everyone who in the past couple of weeks and months supported us. Make this evening one big party!"
19:15: During the opening ceremony, the Belgian Olympians make their lap of honour. The 4x400m relay team, the silver girls of the 4x100m relay and golden Tia Hellebaut are driven around the pitch in cars. Olympic champions such as pole vault Yelena Isinbayeva, sprinter Usaine Bolt and javelin Andreas Thorkildsen share in the happening. In total there are 13 golden medal winners in Brussel tonight.
19:00: From 5.30pm onwards some junior races will take place at the Koning Boudewijnstadion. The first race, the 5.000m for men, was won by the Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge in 13:06.12. The stage is completed by his compatriot Songok and Ndiwa.
22:20: Kim Gevaert receives another extensive lap of honour at the Koning Boudewijnstadium, after which she thanked everyone in an emotional goodbye speech. Kris and Koen Wauters sang a song.
22:05: The races might be over, but the audience is staying in the stadium for Kim Gevaert's farewell.
22:00: The last race of the evening, the 10.000m, was won by the Ehtopian Sileshi Sihine.
21:40: The remaining three high jump athletes fail at their last attempt at 2m02. Friedrich ends the event as first, before Vlasic and Hellebaut. Vlasic does not take a share in the 1 million dollar jackpot, which is now the property of 800m athlete Pamela Jelimo entirely.
21:38: No success at the second attempt for any of the three high jumpers.
21:35: None of the remaining three high jump athletes manages a first attempt at 2m02.
21:29: Isinbayeva fails her attempt at 4m85. She does win the event thanks to her 4m72.
21:28: Again third time lucky for Tia Hellebaut. Along with Friedrich and Vlasic she aims at 2m02.
21:25: Ariane Friedrich and Blanka Vlasic manage 2m at their second attempt. Howard and Hellebaut fail.
21:25: The American Kerron Clement wins the 400m hurdles in 48.29.
21:18: Friedrich, Howard, Vlasic nor Hellebaut make it at 2m with their first attempt.
21:16: World record holder pole vault Yelena Isinbayeva wins her event with an jump over 4m72. The Russian wants more, but does not make it at 4m85.
21:14: Tia Hellebaut eases on at her third attempt on 1m97. Four high jump athletes are still up for the victory.
21:13: The American Marshevet Hooker wins the 200m in 22.61. The Belgian Olivia Borlee finishes sixth.
21:07: Vlasic cruises on by making it over 1m97, just like Friedrich and Howard. Tia Hellebaut fails at her second attempt.
21:05: Pamela Jelimo wins her sixth Golden League race. She finishes the 800m in 1:55.16. We'll have to wait for a whole now to see whether or not she will be the only one to take home the 1 million dollar or has to share with high jumper Blanka Vlasic.
21:04: At the 800m Pamela Jelimo is chasing the jackpot.
21:01: Blanka Vlasic and Tia Hellebaut fail again, this time at their first attempt on 1m97.
20:55: The American Jeremy Wariner makes it in 44.44 at the 800m. Kevin Borlee finishes fourth in 45.69, his brother Jonathan finishes sixth in 45.96 and Cédric Van Branteghem eighth.
20:52: On to the 400m with the Belgians Kevin Borlee, Jonathan Borlee en Cédric Van Branteghem.
20:50: Third time lucky for Blanka Vlasic. Slesarenko also proceeds.
20:47: Blanka Vlasic, who is still in the running for the jackpot, misses out on the 1m94 at her second attempt. Tia Hellebaut does manages to tackle the height.
20:46: Both Tia Hellebaut and Blanka Vlasic fail at 1m94.
20:45: The Jamaican Delloreen Ennis-London wins the 100m hurdles for women in 12.66, before the American LoLo Jones and the Spanish Josephine Onyia.
20:40: The Norwegian Andreas Thorkildsen, Olympic champion javelin in Beijing, abandons after two throws with a light injury.
20:37: Ali Belal Mansoor from Bahrein wins the 1500m, beating the Moroccan Iguider.
20.29: Tia Hellebaut has no problem at 1m90.
20:28: Asafa Powell has the best start, but Usaine Bolt passes his compatriot in 9.77.
20:23: The 100m is about to start. Everyone is looking forward to the duel between Usaine Bolt and Asafa Powell.
19:55: Kim Gevaert wins her last race in 11.25! What a way of concluding her fantastic career. The audience is going through the roof. Coach Rudi Diels and Tia Hellebaut join in on the celebration. Debbie Ferguson and Me'Lisa Barber complete the top three. Hanna Mariën finished 9th in 11.77.
19:52: Kim Gevaert is getting ready for the 100m, her last major race. A historic moment in the history of Belgian athletics. Hanna Mariën is part of the field as well.
19:45: The 800m for men is won by Youssef Saad Kamel fromn Bahrein (1:44.57). The Moroccan Laalou finishes second, only just before the Kenyan Yego. Olympic champion Wilfred Bungei had an off day.
19:37: The Kenyan Paul Koech has won the 3000m steeplechase in 8:04.99, beating Olympic champion and compatriot Brimin Kipruto. Tareq Mubarak Taher finished third. Krijn Van Koolwijk finishes in a rather disappointing 8:43.91.
19:25: The 32nd Belgacom Memorial Van Damme is the conluding event of the Golden League. High jump athlete Blanka Vlasic and 800m runner Pamela Jelimo are still in for the Jackpot of 1 million dollar.
19:20: Tia Hellebaut had a brief conversation with Prince Filip. Afterwards she spoke to the audience: "Many thanks to everyone who in the past couple of weeks and months supported us. Make this evening one big party!"
19:15: During the opening ceremony, the Belgian Olympians make their lap of honour. The 4x400m relay team, the silver girls of the 4x100m relay and golden Tia Hellebaut are driven around the pitch in cars. Olympic champions such as pole vault Yelena Isinbayeva, sprinter Usaine Bolt and javelin Andreas Thorkildsen share in the happening. In total there are 13 golden medal winners in Brussel tonight.
19:00: From 5.30pm onwards some junior races will take place at the Koning Boudewijnstadion. The first race, the 5.000m for men, was won by the Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge in 13:06.12. The stage is completed by his compatriot Songok and Ndiwa.
Athletes shine on catwalk
As is the tradition in the run-up to the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme a fashion show was held with the athletes as models. Take a look at the pictures and sample the atmosphere via Belgacom Memorial Van Damme TV.
Kim Gevaert, Elodie Ouedraogo and Yelena Isinbayeva shined on the catwalk. Hanna Mariën, Olivia Borlée and Muriel Hurtis looked fantastic in a rather unsual outfit as well.
Top 20 of all time
The Belgacom MVD top 20 of all times proves that the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme simply is the best athletics event in the world.
From now on, you can find on our website the top 20 of all time at the Belgacom MVD. From 1977 onwards, the Belgacom MVD is characterized by a high level of strong performances. No less than 12 worlds records were broken at the Belgacom MVD, of which 5 are still standing. Many European and continental records were established as were a huge amount of national records. 32 performances from the Belgacom MVD belong to the top 10 of all times, 75 belong to the top 25.
This wealth of record breaking performances is assembled in the Belgacom MVD top 20 of all time, a unique overview of 31 years of athletics at international top level at the Belgacom MVD !
5 performances from the Belgacom MVD are still standing:
10000m M 26.17.53 Kenenisa Bekele 2005
3000m steeplechase M 7.53.63 Saif Saaeed Shaheen 2004
4 x 800m M 7.02.43 Kenya 2006 (Mutua, Yiampoy, Kombich, Bungei)
1000m W 2.28.98 Svetlana Masterkova 1996
2 mile W 8.58.58 Meseret Defar 2007
This wealth of record breaking performances is assembled in the Belgacom MVD top 20 of all time, a unique overview of 31 years of athletics at international top level at the Belgacom MVD !
5 performances from the Belgacom MVD are still standing:
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