The Flemish Parliament convened Wednesday to address ongoing turmoil within the region’s athletics programs, prompted by internal concerns adn questions of leadership. The session featured testimony from Rutger Smith, athletics coordinator for Atletiek Vlaanderen, who faced questioning regarding his role and approach to recent issues-and offered a partial apology for his handling of internal communications. The hearing underscores growing scrutiny of Belgian athletics governance amid preparations for upcoming international competitions.
“Choosing not to sling mud in the press”: athletics chief coordinator defends position in Flemish Parliament
The Flemish Parliament held its first session Wednesday addressing the turmoil within the Flemish and Belgian athletics world. Rutger Smith, athletics coordinator for Atletiek Vlaanderen, offered a partial apology for his approach.
Closing
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Committee Chairman Bart Van Opstal (Vlaams Belang) adjourns the session. “I thank everyone for attending.”
We did ask how our athletes feel, and the results of that research will be incorporated into the improvement process. We did not shy away from the question of Rutger Smith’s position, even though it was not specifically asked.
Philippe Paquay, Sport Vlaanderen
“We did not explicitly ask if there was still trust,” said Tom Coeckelberghs of Sport Vlaanderen.
“We did ask what athletes and support staff thought went well or not, and what specific improvements they saw for the future.”
We are looking forward to the future, in which we want to do things differently and leave this behind us.
Sofie Debaere, Atletiek Vlaanderen
Smith’s Position
Bogdan Vanden Berghe (Groen) wonders if there will also be an evaluation of top sports coordinator Rutger Smith.
“It can’t be that everything is questioned except his position? I advise you to also analyze that. Because on certain elements of his job description as outlined in the vacancy, he has clearly failed.”
Gwendolyn Rutten (Open VLD) questions whether athletes still have confidence in the leadership.
“Based on the various reactions I receive, I cannot say that today. If that trust is broken, you cannot effectively move forward. So I hope the results of the athlete survey are explained openly and transparently.”
We are looking forward to the future, in which we want to do things differently and leave this behind us.
Sofie Debaere, Atletiek Vlaanderen
Smith: “I Regret That Internal Email”
“I chose not to sling mud in the press. I am grateful to be here to tell my story,” said Rutger Smith.
“A one-sided picture of me is being painted in the press, whispered by people who are against centralization and also against me. That’s unfortunate.”
Rutten: “A Gun to Athletes’ Heads”
Gwendolyn Rutten (Open VLD) wants to know why the selection committee decided Nafi Thiam could not bring a physiotherapist to the World Championships and was not welcome at the training camp.
“The crux of the matter is the power of that selection committee to allow or not allow athletes to be selected or to impose conditions. That is a tool of power for a committee on which you sit, Mr. Smith.”
“My question is therefore very clear: will you remove that sentence that the selection committee can stop a selection “for any reason whatsoever”?
Smith: “I Regret the Internal Mail”
Rutger Smith now responds to the pressing questions about the code of conduct.
“The board of directors of Belgian Athletics has drawn up a code of conduct and that gives me the task that everyone must sign for the World Championships.”
“I then read in the newspaper that Nafi Thiam was going to the World Championships.”
“I then sent an internal email that was not helpful and which I regret. I did not react well, but I had the Flemish athletes in mind.”
“That is also why I did not go to Tokyo, because I did not want to take that mess with me. I regret that too. That will not happen again in the future.”
Centralization is a long-term project, with the aim of structural success from the moment everything is running. That will take a number of years. We are aiming for that after Brisbane 2032.
Rutger Smith
Rutger Smith, athletics coordinator for Atletiek Vlaanderen, takes the floor. He outlines his career path within the Flemish athletics league and sketches the picture in which he works, including centralization.
“Then you automatically end up in Ghent. You need indoor facilities and that’s where you have the only 200-meter track in Flanders.”
