The Belgian Olympic team will make the short journey home from Paris to be welcomed as heroes at the Grand-Place on Monday afternoon with special musical guests.
The event is being organised by the City of Brussels and the Belgian Olympic Committee (BOIC) to mark the end of the Summer Olympic Games in Paris on Sunday.
Belgium made history with the "best result [for the country] in a hundred years," according to the President of the BOIC, Jean-Michel Saive. To celebrate, Brussels is holding a ceremony at the heart of the city, though with its 10 medallists, the Grand-Place balcony might be "too small," joked Brussels Mayor, Philipe Close, in a post on social media on Saturday.
The celebrations will kick off at 16:30 with a warm-up by Belgian content creator, Average Rob, and DJ 'Omdat Het Kan'. Earlier this year, the duo took it upon themselves to create a 'Belgian Anthem' to celebrate Belgian athletes competing this summer, including the Olympic team.
The crowd 'warm-up' will be followed by a ceremony, starting at 17:00, on the balcony of the square to honour the athletes, presented by Karl Van Nieuwkerk and Bénédicte Deprez, according to the BOIC.
The BOIC has confirmed the presence of Remco Evenepoel (Gold in two cycling competitions), Gabriella Willems (Bronze medallist in Judo), and Favio Van den Bossche (Bronze in Cycling Omnium), though more athletes are expected to be present.
Following the balcony ceremony, Olympians will greet people in the fan zone of the Grand-Place, says the BOIC. Belgian DJ Henri PFR will then take the stage to wrap up the celebrations with a set starting at 18:00.
Extreme heat warning
Access to the Grand-Place will be closed off to the public once maximum capacity of the area is reached, according to the City of Brussels. Due to the high temperatures today, supporters adventuring to celebrate the Olympians are advised to bring extra water with them as well as sun protection. The ceremony will also be shown on Belgian public TV.
The Belgian team took home 10 medals in total, six bronze, one silver, and three golds. According to Belga, the medallist secured in total €300,000 in bonuses for their achievements, while individual athletes with an Olympic diploma share a prize of €75,000. The total premiums excluding coaches' bonuses is €527,500, according to Belga.
