And in Belgium? If the figures from the different federations are not yet all available, we especially note a boom at the local level. As at JC Andrimont, the club of judoka Gabriella Willems, which has had to refuse people since the bronze medal of its figurehead. The same observation can be made for the French-speaking taekwondo federation, which is taking advantage of Sarah Chaari’s medal to promote its sport in schools, even though it cannot already welcome new members. If the Games showcased disciplines accustomed to remaining in the shadows, they have, in certain cases, confirmed a rise in power. Thus, there was no explosion of Basketball affiliations but the progression that began on the evening of the Belgian Cats’ 3rd place at Euro 2017 continues. “Since then, we have noted a 40% increase in our affiliates”details in our file Koen Umans, the general manager of the women’s team, 4th this summer in Paris. We also see that disabled sports have gained popularity with their media exposure during the Paralympic Games. Since then, the French-speaking disabled sports league has received numerous requests for information, when not for outright affiliations.
O 2024 – Basketball: The Cats were inconsolable after their defeat for bronze: “We believed so much in this medal”
Boom or not, the various sports federations can ride on the media success of this summer’s two major events. It’s up to them not to let the opportunity pass…
