History
1977 - 1978 - 1979 - 1980 - 1981 - 1982 - 1983 - 1984 - 1985 - 1986 - 1987 - 1988 - 1989 - 1990 - 1991 - 1992 - 1993 - 1994 - 1995 - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
2008
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.
Kim Gevaert
let the opening ceremony pass by in order to fully concentrate on what
was probably her last race at top level.
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.
 |
| 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.
