a Belgian shot putter becomes a specialist in the 100m hurdles to avoid the disqualification of her team at the European Games

A surprising scene to say the least, but a great team spirit. Belgian shot putter Jolien Boumkwo had to become a specialist in the 100m hurdles during the European Athletics Team Games on Saturday June 24 in Chorzow, Poland. Jolien Boumkwo, obviously unaccustomed to participating in this event and in great difficulty when crossing hurdles, unsurprisingly finished (with her time of 32 seconds) in last place in her series, won by the Spaniard Teresa Errandonea in 13 seconds.

She had to replace at short notice her compatriot Anne Zagré, a specialist in discipline, but injured a few minutes before the start. No other hurdler among the Belgian team was available and, in the event of a withdrawal from this event, Belgium would have been disqualified. “The team is the most important for me”explained the 29-year-old athlete, who was a head taller than his opponents.

“I couldn’t bear to lose by one point, she added. That’s why I agreed to participate in the 100m hurdles. I didn’t take any risks if I went calmly.” The day before, Boumkwo, who collects the titles of Belgian champion in the hammer and shot put, had finished 7th in the weight competition of these European Games.