Will the Belgian Falcons (4x100m men) get to go to the World Championships in Budapest next month? On Wednesday 12 July, they will continue their hunt for the coveted World Cup ticket in the 21st edition of the Meeting International d’Athlétisme de la Province de Liège. Pieter Sisk and Camille Laus will attack the 21-year-old Belgian record in the 600 metres in Liège.
The Belgian Falcons are currently 18th in the world rankings. At the World Championships in Budapest (19 to 27 August), only the best 16 countries are allowed to participate. If the men’s 4x100m relay team wants to go to Hungary later, it will have to move up at least two places before 31 July.
At the 21st edition of the Meeting International d’Athlétisme de la Province de Liège, the Falcons will make a bid for the coveted World Cup ticket. To qualify, they must run under 38″50. The Falcons’ current best time is 38″73, a time they ran at last year’s European Championships in Munich. Team 1 in Liege consists of Jordan Paquot, Kobe Vleminckx, Antoine Snyders and Valentijn Hoornaert. The final runner from home club RFCL will no doubt provide some extra support from the crowd. For Team 2, Raphael Kapenda, Ward Merckx, Amine Kasmi and Wolf Belien will be in action.
‘We chose two teams to motivate the entire team and provide some extra competition,’ coach Lieve Van Mechelen explained the Falcons’ selection. “If they want to qualify, they have to beat Spain. That will be a tough battle, but it is possible. They just have to give everything and not hesitate at stick changes. Take every chance, drop every fear.”
Kenya and Spain will also compete for World Cup tickets. Kenya, who will start with world number one Ferdinand Omanyala, is almost certain of participation with a provisional 12th place. Spain is currently ranked 20th.
Double record attempt at 600 metres
Two Belgian records on the same song on one night? It just might. In the summer of 2002, Joeri Jansen (1’15‘35) and Sandra Stals (1’25’91) ran the BR in the 600 metres in Liège. On Wednesday, Pieter Sisk – Eliott Crestan has to forfeit after injury – and Camille Laus hope to follow in their footsteps. The presence of Kenyan Ferguson Rotich, silver in the 800 metres at the Tokyo Olympics, will hopefully give Sisk an extra boost.
Reigning Olympic and world heptathlon champion Nafi Thiam also travels to Liège on Wednesday for the long jump. In the men’s high jump, Ukraine’s former world champion Bohdan Bondarenko draws present. In the pole vault, Ben Broeders hopes to confirm his strong performance at the Wanda Diamond League in Stockholm (5m72).
Other Belgians who will make their appearance at the 21st Meeting International d’Athlétisme de la Province de Liège include Nolan Vancauwemberghe (110-metre hurdles), Cynthia Bolingo (400m), Robin Vanderbemden (400m), RFCL athlete François Graillet (110-metre hurdles), Pieter-Jan Hannes (3000-metre steeple) and Rémi Schyns (3000-metre steeple). Liège resident and paralympic topper Roger Habsch is also not to be missed in the Province Naimette Arena. Habsch starts as top favourite in the 100 metres for wheelers.
Tickets are available until Tuesday 11 July available for free download via the website or are on sale on Wednesday 12 July from 4pm at 10 euros each at the main entrance of the Province Naimette Arena.
