Belgian athletes won a record 126 medals in 16 disciplines at the 16th edition of the Olympic Games for people with mental disabilities, the Special Olympics.
The Belgians returned home with a fine haul of 52 gold, 35 silver and 39 bronze medals, the Special Olympics Belgium Committee was delighted to report on Monday.
The games, held every four years, took place this year in Berlin from 17 to 25 June. A total of 7,000 athletes from 190 delegations took part, including 88 from Belgium.
Ruben Leplae shone in athletics, winning 5 gold medals, one silver and one bronze. Cyclist Jimmy Van Craeynest won gold thrice. The Special Flames women’s footballers also walked away with a gold medal after a penalty shoot-out against Rwanda.
In kayaking, a new discipline at the World Games, Nona Gielis won gold in the single kayak event and silver in the Unified competition, which brings together an athlete without a mental disability and an athlete with a mental disability. She also won bronze – in the double canoe with Pieter Van Balen.
“We are incredibly proud of our athletes’ performances,” said Hans Bruyninckx, chairman of the Special Olympics Belgium Committee. “Each of their performances reflects not only their sporting ability, but also their resilience and motivation.”
The closing ceremony of the games took place at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
The Olympic Flame of Hope was then passed on to the city of Perth, Western Australia, where the next edition will be held in 2027.
