On Wednesday 15 July, Nafi Thiam will be one of the main attractions at the 24th edition of the Meeting International d’Athlétisme de la Province de Liège. Athletics fans can book a free ticket via the meeting’s website.
As a three-time Olympic and two-time World Champion in the heptathlon, Nafi Thiam has her pick of disciplines, so to speak. At the Meeting International d’Athlétisme de la Province de Liège, the five-time Sportswoman of the Year has opted for the long jump. With a jump of 6.86m, Thiam is the Belgian record holder in that discipline.
With hurdler Yanla Ndjip-Nyemeck, there is sure to be at least one more Belgian record holder heading to the Province Naimette Arena next month. Last year, the 23-year-old from Brussels equalled Anne Zagré’s then ten-year-old Belgian record in the 100-metre hurdles with a time of 12.71. This spring, she also equalled the Belgian record in the 60-metre hurdles: just like Eline Berings in 2009, Ndjip-Nyemeck clocked a time of 7.92.
The main programme of the 24th edition of the Meeting International d’Athlétisme de la Province de Liège begins at 7:30 p.m. and ends around 10 p.m. From 5:15 p.m., spectators can enjoy the support programme. The gates of the Province Naimette Arena open at 4:30 p.m. As in previous years, admission is free for those who book a ticket in advance via the website before 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday 14 July.
Wavelight
Another nice feature for spectators: for the first time, the Meeting International d’Athlétisme de la Province de Liège will be using Wavelight, an advanced system in which LED lights on the inner edge of the track indicate a constant pace. This gives athletes live visual feedback on their position relative to a set target pace, such as the pace for a championship qualifying time or a meeting record.
The result? Consistent lap times, smart pacing and an extra push towards fast times. And the crowd can immediately see if a runner is ‘on course’. This makes following the races more exciting than ever.
