Flemish coaches denounce ‘destructive policy’ and ‘toxic atmosphere’ in athletics
An open letter signed by a large number of Flemish elite coaches is shaking up the Belgian athletics world. “The current elite sports policy threatens to destroy the long-standing functioning of our sport,” they say in the letter, newspapers De Standaard, Het Laatste Nieuws and De Morgen report.
23 elite coaches signed the letter. They included Michael Van der Plaetsen, the coach of three-time Olympic heptathlon champion Nafi Thiam, and Tia Hellebaut, the former Olympic high jump champion.
According to De Standaard, the concerns are shared by even more coaches but they preferred not to sign the letter for personal reasons. Some elite athletes are also considering whether and how to convey their concerns.
The coaches point to coercion and intimidation at the elite sports centre in Ghent and disrespect towards coaches, whose expertise is “completely ignored” in the current policy.
'Turmoil and confusion'
The new leadership of the relay teams is criticised fiercely as well. “The relay teams have had a new structure imposed on them without consultation, creating turmoil and confusion. This is totally unacceptable." They call for Bram Peters to be removed as head coach of the relay teams with immediate effect.
Elite sports coordinator Rutger Smith, like Peters from the Netherlands, is seen as being responsible for the toxic atmosphere within the organisation. “The current working environment is untenable: an atmosphere of fear, intimidation and abuse of power proliferates within the elite sports operation.”
The coaches condemn plans to close the training centre in Leuven, and the climate of conflict and tension. “The current policy creates a toxic atmosphere in which both athletes and coaches become demotivated,” they write.
#FlandersNewsService | Belgian athletics team leader Rutger Smith at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Turkey in 2023 © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS
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