Cédric Baudson & Dieter Theylaert
BRUSSELS – Today, July 1st, the Belgian University Sports Federation (BUSF) presented its delegation for the 26th Summer Universiade in Shenzhen,China to the Belgian press. The press conference took place at the Château de la Solitude, the FISU Headquarters in Brussels.
The delegation was presented by Dieter Theylaert, Head of Delegation and Cédric Baudson, Deputy Head of Delegation who presented the Belgian student-athletes in Dutch and French, the official languages of Belgium.
Prior to the presentation, FISU Secretary-General/CEO Eric Saintrond gave a short introduction of FISU and the Universiades and gave an overview of the upcoming Shenzhen Universiade, the city, the venues and the Athletes’ Village.
Belgium will participate with its biggest delegation ever of 75 persons. For the first time the staff will also incorporate a psychologist who will coach the athletes on a different level.
Hopes are high for medals, especially for gymnast Donna-Donny Truyens, who won silver at the previous Universiade in Belgrade on the pommel horse. It’s been a while since the Belgian delegation brought a team to the Games. ‘The women’s volleyball team might be a contender as well as the majority of the girls are playing for the regular national team’, said HoD Dieter Theylaert confirming their presence.
The Belgian athletes will compete in the following sports: athletics, cycling, judo, volleyball, gymnastics, swimming, weightlifting, archery, taekwondo and badminton.
C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer
FISU SG/CEO Eric Saintrond