The first athletes from Team Belgium departed for Paris at around 10:00 on Friday morning. The national hockey teams are the first to set off from Belgium ahead of the Paris Olympic Games, according to Belga News Agency.
The men's hockey team, the Red Lions, will head to the French capital looking to defend their Olympic title which they won three years ago in Tokyo. Meanwhile, the women's team, the Red Panthers, will make a return to the Games following their only appearance in 2012, in which they finished 11th.
The athletes departed from Brussels-Midi station on the Eurostar on Friday morning. Following the initial departure, almost daily trips have been scheduled to follow. For example, the gymnasts, including the Olympic champion on the uneven bars, Nina Derwael, are scheduled to board the train shortly after 17:00 on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Panthers pictured during the depart of the national hockey team to the upcoming Olympic Games, Friday 19 July 2024 in Brussels. Belgium's women's team the Red Panthers and the men's Red Lions will compete at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Credit: Belga / Virginie Lefour
Team Belgium's delegation leader for the Games, Olav Spahl, also travelled with them to the French capital. "Leaving for the Games is always a special moment for every athlete," he said on Team Belgium's website.
In total, Team Belgium currently consists of 165 athletes (and 15 reserves) for the Games. This number could still slightly change.
The 30th edition of the Summer Olympic Games will start on Friday 26 July and will continue until 11 August.
